- Senator Lindsay Graham has said she will not do business with Saudi Arabia in 2018.
- Graham recently visited the country and met with MBS.
- On Sunday, Graham justified his visit, saying a lot has changed since then.
Senator Lindsey Graham has praised Saudi Arabia during a recent visit, despite once calling the Saudi crown prince “toxic” and refusing to set foot in the country.
ABC “This Week” Host Jonathan Carr asked Graham on Sunday about his recent visit to Saudi Arabia and his meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“I remember how critical you were of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi after he was murdered.
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) April 16, 2023
In the aftermath of 2018 Death of KhashoggiMr Graham said he would not do business with or visit Saudi Arabia.
“The Prince is a wrecking ball. I think his actions before Khashoggi’s murder were beyond alarming, and I don’t see him as a reliable partner for the United States,” Graham said at the time.
On Sunday, Graham said a lot has changed since then.
“Well, a few things have happened. First, I want to build on the Biden administration and the reforms they are making in their own country and work with Saudi Arabia to build on the Abraham Accords. “If nothing else comes out of this interview, the situation in Saudi Arabia is changing for the better very quickly. We see an opportunity to normalize the relationship.”
He noted that Saudi Arabia has purchased $36 billion worth of Boeing 787 jets manufactured in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina.
“They chose a Boeing 787 over Airbus. I’m here to say thank you to Saudi Arabia. They’re thinking about buying more jets,” Graham said.