(Mark J. Terrill/AP)Thomas J. Barrack Jr., a billionaire real estate investor who is one of President Trump’s closest confidants, apologized Wednesday after defending Saudi Arabia in the wake of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s killing and saying the United States has committed “equal or worse” atrocities. “Whatever happened in Saudi Arabia, the atrocities in America are equal or worse to the atrocities in Saudi Arabia,” Barrack told the crowd at the Milken Institute’s MENA Summit, according to audio provided by Gulf News reporter Ed Clowes. “The atrocities in any autocratic country are dictated by the rule of law,” Barrack continued. At Tuesday’s event, Barrack discussed his views on Saudi Arabia at length in response to a question from moderator Becky Anderson of CNN, according to the audio of the panel. “I love America and am myself a product of American freedom, American leadership and the American Dream,” he said.

Source: Washington Post February 13, 2019 19:55 UTC