Uber CEO compares Jamal Khashoggi's murder to his company's own 'mistakes'
The CEO of Uber is backtracking after suggesting the vicious murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was simply a "mistake" on Saudi Arabia's part.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in an interview with Axios was asked whether the head of the Saudi Arabia sovereign wealth fund should remain on Uber's board in light of the murder of Khashoggi, the critical journalist who in 2018 was killed by Saudi agents at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The CIA concluded Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the assassination. But Khosrowshahi downplayed the killing as simply a "mistake."
"That government said that they made a mistake," he said. "...People make mistakes. It doesn't mean that they can never be forgiven."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Khosrowshahi compared Saudi Arabia's "mistakes" to those Uber has made with self-driving cars; last year, an autonomous Uber vehicle hit and killed a woman in Arizona.
"We've made mistakes, too," Khosrowshahi told Axios.
When the reporter pushed back, noting that the CIA didn't find that Saudi Arabia simply made a mistake but that its crown prince ordered an assassination, Khosrowshahi responded, "I didn't read that part of the CIA report." Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has denied ordering Khashoggi's murder.
After the interview was conducted, Khosrowshahi seemed to realize he himself made a mistake, attempting to walk back the comments in a statement to Axios. "I said something in the moment that I do not believe," Khosrowshahi said. "When it comes to Jamal Khashoggi, his murder was reprehensible and should not be forgotten or excused." Brendan Morrow
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
In what states is abortion legal, illegal, and in limbo?
In The Spotlight Where American states stand on abortion care
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Sudoku hard: April 19, 2024
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku medium: April 19, 2024
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Post Office's Capture software to be reviewed over 'glitches'
Speed Read Solicitor representing accused postmasters says flaws in the IT system follow 'very similar pattern' to Horizon
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Reddit IPO values social media site at $6.4 billion
Speed Read The company makes its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?
speed read Many voters are troubled by the housing affordability crisis
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published