The article centers on the controversy surrounding Donald Trump's acceptance of a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar. This action is particularly noteworthy given Trump's past criticisms of Qatar as a 'funder of terrorism'.
Trump defends his decision, claiming it's a 'gift' to the US Department of Defense, intended to temporarily replace an aging Air Force One. He dismisses criticisms as coming from 'Crooked Democrats' and asserts that accepting the plane is a smart move considering the age of current aircraft.
The article highlights a stark contrast between Trump's current stance and his previous condemnation of Qatar's role in funding terrorism. A resurfaced 2017 video shows Trump strongly criticizing Qatar's actions.
The situation has drawn criticism from Democrats and some of Trump's allies, raising ethical concerns regarding potential quid pro quo expectations. Ethics watchdogs have also expressed alarm.
Trump states the jet will be donated to his presidential library after his time in office, adding that he will only use it during his presidency.
Trump has been lambasted over allegedly accepting the luxury plane from the Middle Eastern country. Taking to Truth Social, Trump slammed Democrats and others who have slammed the aircraft. "So the fact that the Defense Department is getting a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40-year-old Air Force One, temporarily, in a very public and transparent transaction, so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, TOP DOLLAR, for the plane. Anybody can do that! The Dems are World Class Losers!!! MAGA," he posted.
ALSO READ: 'Terror state': MAGA loyalists fume over Trump's $400 million Qatar Air Force One gift
The offer is “a very nice gesture,” the president added, telling reporters that he would take the plane.
The plane would be donated to the Department of Defense, and Trump stated he would use it only during his time in office—by which point Boeing’s aircraft should be completed—before ultimately donating the Qatar jet to his presidential library.
“If we can get a 747, as a contribution to our Defense Department to use a couple of years while they’re building the other ones, I think that was a very nice gesture. Now I could be a stupid person to say, ‘Oh no, we don’t want a free plane.’”
“We give free things out. We’ll take one too, and it helps us out. Because, again, we’re talking about we have 40-year-old aircraft.”
ALSO READ: What is Trump's ‘most favored nation’ drug pricing policy and how will it reduce costs? Explained
“This was just a gesture of good faith,” Trump said. News of the $400 million gift prompted criticism from some Democrats and Trump allies. Trump said the plane would ultimately be decommissioned and go to his future presidential library. He said he would not fly on it after he leaves office.
ALSO READ: 'Another Biden mess': Trump blasts Boeing for slow Air Force One delivery amid Qatar plane row
The offer by Qatar has raised alarms among ethics watchdogs, who have raised questions about the possibility of a quid pro quo expectation of Washington by Doha. Trump lambasted an ABC reporter for raising that criticism Monday, calling it a “stupid question.”
“Any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. “President Trump’s Administration is committed to full transparency.”
Trump will visit Qatar on the second leg of his trip to the Middle East this week. A White House official told The Post Monday that the plane will neither be presented nor accepted during Trump’s time in the emirate.
If you often open multiple tabs and struggle to keep track of them, Tabs Reminder is the solution you need. Tabs Reminder lets you set reminders for tabs so you can close them and get notified about them later. Never lose track of important tabs again with Tabs Reminder!
Try our Chrome extension today!
Share this article with your
friends and colleagues.
Earn points from views and
referrals who sign up.
Learn more