The widow of Jamal Khashoggi, the slain Washington Post journalist, has renewed calls for transparency regarding a 2019 phone call between President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, joined by Democratic lawmakers, insists the transcript of the conversation be made public, emphasizing the need for truth and accountability.
The call, conducted while Trump was in office, has drawn scrutiny due to the circumstances surrounding Khashoggi’s brutal killing inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Lawmakers and human rights advocates argue that public access to the transcript is crucial for understanding the president’s relationship with MBS and the U.S. response to the journalist’s murder.
Rep. Eugene Vindman, who had reviewed the classified call while serving on the National Security Council, stated that the transcript could reveal potentially improper exchanges between Trump and the Crown Prince. Vindman, alongside 37 other members of Congress, formally requested that the transcript be declassified and released to the public, stressing the importance of accountability and transparency in matters of national and international security.
During a press conference, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi described her husband’s killing as a “terrorist act” and emotionally demanded answers: “I need to know what is the truth in this conversation.” Her remarks underline the enduring quest for justice in the wake of one of the most high-profile journalist killings in recent history.
The demand has intensified political debate in Washington. Critics note that Trump’s business dealings with Saudi Arabia, combined with his repeated praise of MBS, make the content of the call especially sensitive. Lawmakers argue that the public has a right to understand whether U.S. foreign policy decisions were influenced by personal or financial considerations rather than national interest.
The White House and Trump’s representatives, however, have dismissed the calls for release. Communications Director Steven Cheung described Vindman as “bitter” and labeled his claims regarding the call as unsubstantiated, emphasizing that the content of the conversation remains classified for national security reasons.
Despite pushback, Democratic leaders and human rights groups maintain that releasing the transcript is critical not only for justice for Jamal Khashoggi but also for restoring credibility in U.S.-Saudi relations. Transparency advocates argue that keeping the call secret fuels suspicion that key decisions may have been shaped by personal or political motives rather than the rule of law.
As pressure mounts, the issue highlights the ongoing tension between national security concerns and the public’s demand for accountability. For Khashoggi’s family, the fight for disclosure represents both a personal and symbolic effort to ensure that the truth about his death and its diplomatic implications is made known.
The debate over the transcript is likely to continue as lawmakers, activists, and journalists push for clarity on a call that remains at the center of one of the most controversial episodes in recent U.S.-Saudi relations.
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