Colbert: ‘Did Donald Trump Knowingly Provide Cover for a Murderous Autocrat?’ (Video)

“The Late Show” host weighs in on Trump’s support for Saudi government despite CIA report linking Crown Prince to murder of Jamal Khashoggi

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On Tuesday’s episode of “The Late Show,” Stephen Colbert said that Donald Trump’s statement earlier in the day in support of Saudi Arabia provided “cover for a murderous autocrat.”

“The president got out in front of the CIA today,” said Colbert, referring to an upcoming CIA report linking Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

“Apparently you can kill a Washington Post journalist,” Colbert continued, “and the president don’t give a damn. ‘Cause Trump’s official presidential decision on who is to blame is a resolute ‘I dunno.’”

Colbert then quoted from Trump’s statement: “It may very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event — maybe he did, and maybe he didn’t!”

“Did Donald Trump just knowingly provide cover for a murderous autocrat?” asked Colbert. “Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t.”

Colbert then whispered: “He did.”

The government of Saudi Arabia has admitted that Khashoggi was assassinated in its Istanbul consulate, but says the action was undertaken by rogue elements within the regime. The country has remained firm throughout that the royal leadership was unaware of the plot.

Last week, Saudi Arabia charged 11 in connection to the killer with kingdom prosecutors saying they would seek the death penalty.

Watch Colbert’s comments below.

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