Bolton on Eschewing Khashoggi Tape: 'I Don't Speak Arabic'

Rejecting criticism high-ranking members of the Trump administration have not listened to the reported audio recording of the slaying of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi, National Security Adviser John Bolton said he trusts the translation he was given and is "very satisfied we know what the tape picked up."

"How many in this room speak Arabic?" Bolton asked reporters at the White House press briefing, with a few raising their hands in a tight standing-room only room. "You want me to listen to it? What am I going to learn from? If they were speaking Korean, I wouldn't learn any more from it either."

When the reporter responded an interpreter would be able to translate "what's going on [during the alleged recording of his murder]." 

"Well, then I could read a transcript, too," Bolton responded, saying later "people who speak Arabic have listened to the tape and given us the substance of what's in it."

"I am just trying to make a point to everybody who says 'why don't you listen to the tape,' unless you speak Arabic, what are you going to get from it?

"The president has spoken to our position on this issue. He has spoken very clearly, and that is our position."

Earlier this month, after the controversial dustup between CNN's Jim Acosta and a White House intern, the White House outlined press briefing rules where reporters are permitted only "a single question" and follow-up questions will be taken only "at the discretion of the president or other White House officials." Also, reporters must "physically surrender" the mic when directed and violations of "any" of these rules "may result in suspension or revocation."

The White House Correspondents Association had then issued a statement, rejecting the laid-out rules: "For as long as there have been White House press conferences, White House reporters have asked follow-up questions. We fully expect this tradition will continue."

Reporters questioning economic adviser Larry Kudlow, NSA Bolton and White House press secretary Sarah Sanders repeatedly asked multiple questions.

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