In what’s being billed as the Saudi leader’s “first interview with a major American news network since 2019,” Fox News announced that Brett Baier will sit down with Mohammed bin Salman for a “no holds barred” conversation.
The pre-taped encounter with the controversial crown prince will cover a range of topics, including the future of the kingdom and its relations with the United States.
The latter is of special interest, given that Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) this week demanded communications and records from PGA Tour and LIV Golf regarding their planned merger. LIV Golf is financed by the Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which, Blumenthal says, raises concerns “about the Saudi government’s role in influencing this effort and the risks posed by a foreign government entity assuming control over a cherished American institution.”
Also this week, Blumenthal and Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray “asking that the U.S. government finally provide full transparency into what it knows about the [9/11] attacks, particularly as it relates to Saudi Arabia’s involvement.”
There is also the longstanding matter of the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. The CIA later found the murder was ordered by bin Salman.
Baier will anchor Special Report from Saudi Arabia on September 19 and 20. The network promises a behind-the-scenes look at the kingdom. In addition to the crown prince, he will interview with Saudi officials, including Minister of Finance & Planning Faisal Alibrahim; Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal; Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb; Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman; and Diriyah Gate Development Authority CEO Jerry Inzerillo.
The interview with bin Salman will air on the 20th at 6 p., ET.
