(NEW YORK)—Following President Donald Trump’s comment on the culpability of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in the murder of exiled Saudi columnist Jamal Khashoggi, PEN America issued the following statement:
“President Trump’s reckless and dismissive response to the brutal murder of columnist Jamal Khashoggi seven years ago is an absolute outrage,” said Liesl Gerntholtz, managing director of the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Center. “By brushing aside the clear findings of U.S. intelligence agencies pointing to senior Saudi involvement, and by demeaning and insulting the victim himself, Trump sends a chilling message to authoritarian governments: The United States will look the other way when writers and journalists are silenced as long as it serves the administration’s interests. These dangerous statements pave the way to more human rights violations, long detentions, and executions–such as that of journalist and commentator Turki Al-Jasser in June 2025.”
“We renew our call for full accountability for columnist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder and call on the U.S. administration to stand firmly on the side of freedom of expression, accountability, and human rights.”
PEN America’s 2024 Freedom to Write Index, which tracks writers jailed worldwide because of their words or expression, ranks Saudi Arabia third globally, having jailed at least 23 writers. More about PEN America’s work on Saudi Arabia can be found here.
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at pen.org.