Trump defends Saudi crown prince over Khashoggi killing, threatens ABC News in White House meeting – as it happened

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion of military strikes against drug cartels on Mexican soil. She emphasized that while Mexico is willing to cooperate on intelligence, it will not allow foreign military intervention. This statement follows Trump's remarks indicating support for such actions as a means to combat drug trafficking.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday urged Congress to establish a single nationwide standard for regulating artificial intelligence. He warned that a patchwork of state rules could hinder growth and jeopardize the United States' competitiveness against China in the rapidly evolving AI sector.

President Trump defended Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, asserting he 'knew nothing' about the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. This statement contradicts a CIA assessment that concluded the Crown Prince approved the killing. Trump's remarks come amid ongoing scrutiny of U.S.-Saudi relations and the implications of Khashoggi's murder on international diplomacy.

The Senate has approved legislation mandating the release of investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives. This decision comes after President Donald Trump and his allies reversed their opposition to the bipartisan effort. The bill is now set to be signed by Trump, who indicated his support after months of resistance.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated that Saudi Arabia will not normalize relations with Israel without a clear path to Palestinian statehood. He expressed interest in joining the Abraham Accords initiated by former President Trump, which aimed to establish diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab nations. The Crown Prince emphasized the importance of addressing Palestinian rights as a prerequisite for any normalization efforts.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is visiting the United States, where discussions are focused on Saudi Arabia's interest in acquiring the F-35 fighter jet. This visit marks a significant moment in U.S.-Saudi relations, particularly in the context of military cooperation and arms sales. The F-35, known for its advanced capabilities, represents a strategic enhancement for Saudi Arabia's defense forces.

The US House voted 427-1 to release government files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This decision follows President Donald Trump's reversal of his previous opposition, highlighting divisions within the GOP as lawmakers aim to address the concerns of over 1,000 alleged victims. The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

Eliyahu ‘Eli’ Weinstein, a New Jersey man previously pardoned by Donald Trump in 2021, has been sentenced to 37 years in federal prison for defrauding investors out of $35 million. The ruling was made by US District Judge Michael Shipp in Trenton, who also ordered Weinstein to pay $44,294,803 in restitution immediately. Weinstein, 51, from Lakewood, was known as Mike Konig and had his earlier sentence commuted by Trump, but now faces significant legal consequences for his fraudulent activities.