Trump Asks Reporters if Missing Journalist is U.S. Citizen, Points Out Saudi Arabia Spends Billions in U.S.

President Donald Trump avoided discussing consequences for Saudi Arabia after its suspected role in the disappearance of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, opting to emphasize the country’s value to the U.S. instead.

Speaking during an Oval Office press conference Thursday, Trump began by asking reporters whether Khashoggi was an American citizen then he remarked on the hefty sums of money spent by the Saudis in the U.S.

“There will something that has to take place,” he said. “First I want to find out what happened, and we’re looking. Again, this took place in Turkey. and to the best of our knowledge, Khashoggi is not a United States citizen. Is that right?”

Trump wass then informed that the journalist is a permanent resident.

“We don’t like it and we don’t like it even a little bit,” he added, referring to Khashoggi’s mysterious vanishing. “But as to whether or not we should stop $110 billion from being spent in this country, knowing they have four or five alternatives — two very good alternatives — that would not be acceptable, but we’re looking for the answer and  I think probably you’ll have an answer sooner than people think.”

Khashoggi has been missing since Oct. 2, when he entered Istanbul’s Saudi Consulate not to be seen again since. His work has raised strong criticisms of his native country, prompting speculation that he may have been targeted.

Turkish officials believe he was murdered, but Saudi Arabia has denied that allegation.

Watch the clip above via CNN.

[Image via screengrab]