Upon Trump's election, support for bin Salman was described as one of the few issues where rival White House advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Bannon agreed.[1] Bin Salman was subsequently invited to the White House and given the treatment typically afforded to foreign heads of state by diplomatic protocol, while only holding the position of Deputy Crown Prince at the time.[186] He subsequently defended the Trump administration's travel ban for nationals of 7 Muslim-majority countries, stating that "Saudi Arabia does not believe that this measure is targeting Muslim countries or the religion of Islam".[187] Kushner also inquired as to how the U.S. could support Prince Mohammed in the succession process.[186] After bin Salman acceded to Crown Prince, Trump reportedly said, "We've put our man on top".[188] Trump initially supported the Saudi-led blockade of Qatar,[189] despite opposition from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense James Mattis,[190] though he later changed his position.[191] Bin Salman later reportedly claimed Kushner had provided intelligence assistance on domestic rivals to bin Salman during the 2017–19 Saudi Arabian purge,[192] which Trump had personally expressed support for.[193] Trump and his administration also firmly supported bin Salman during global backlash following the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi.[194]