Washington, November 19, 2025

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman faced strong anger from 9/11 survivors and families during his visit to the United States, as many questioned why he was welcomed at the White House. The Crown Prince, however, insisted that Saudi Arabia is working to ensure such a tragedy never happens again and claimed that Osama bin Laden deliberately used Saudi citizens to damage the long-standing relationship between the two countries.

Speaking alongside US President Donald Trump after announcing a new civilian nuclear agreement and the sale of F-35 jets, the Crown Prince was confronted by reporters about the 9/11 attacks and the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. He responded by saying that bin Laden’s goal was to break US-Saudi ties, and believing otherwise only helps the extremist’s purpose. He described the attacks as extremely painful for both nations and said that Saudi Arabia has taken steps to prevent anything similar from happening again.

He called the 9/11 tragedy a “huge mistake” and said Saudi authorities have strengthened their internal processes to stop extremist actions. He added that the country has carried out investigations and reforms to ensure greater safety in the future.

President Trump defended the Crown Prince when questioned about the murder of Khashoggi, saying Salman had no role in it—despite earlier US intelligence findings that pointed directly at him. Salman called the murder “painful” but maintained that he was not responsible.

The visit has drawn mixed reactions in the US, especially among survivors of the September 11 attacks, who continue to demand more accountability. The ongoing debate shows how deep the emotional wounds remain and how complicated the diplomatic relationship is. The Saudi Crown Prince, meanwhile, urged that both countries continue strengthening their partnership, calling it important for global stability.

 9/11 Survivors Angry Over Saudi Crown Prince’s US Visit And His Defense At The White House

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited the White House, sparking anger among survivors of the 9/11 attacks and their families. Many questioned why he was welcomed in the US given the attacks in 2001 and the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Crown Prince, speaking alongside President Donald Trump, said that Osama bin Laden used Saudi citizens to try and break the US-Saudi relationship and that blaming Saudi Arabia only helps extremists. He called the 9/11 attacks a “huge mistake” and said Saudi Arabia has strengthened its systems to prevent such events from happening again.

He also addressed questions about Khashoggi’s murder, calling it painful, but denied any involvement, while Trump defended him, claiming he knew nothing about it. Survivors and families of victims remain upset and want more accountability, showing that the wounds from these events are still fresh. The Crown Prince emphasized that maintaining a strong relationship between the two countries is important for global safety and stability.

The visit highlighted the ongoing tension between diplomatic ties, past grievances, and public anger in the US. It is a reminder of how historical tragedies continue to affect current international relations.