President Donald Trump disputes some of the reporting around Jamal Khashoggi's death.
Specifically, The Washington Post first reported the CIA believes Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the journalist's killing. But on Thursday at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump told reporters that the CIA did not in fact conclude the crown prince was involved.
"No, they didn't conclude. They did not come to a conclusion. They have feelings certain ways," Trump said. "I don't know if anyone's going to be able to conclude that the crown prince did it. But I will say this, I don't know. I don't know. But whether he did or whether he didn't, he denies it vehemently."
Trump said for a second time that the U.S. has to stand behind Saudi Arabia. On Tuesday in the wake of the CIA's assessment, Trump said the U.S. "intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia."
"As I said, maybe he did, maybe he didn't. But I will say very strongly that it's a very important ally, and if we go by a certain standard, we won't be able to have allies with almost any country."
He told reporters that many jobs depend on the relationship between the two countries.
"Do people really want me to give up hundreds of thousands of jobs?"
Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.
