trump $400 million qatar jet: Unearthed video of Trump lambasting 'funders of terrorism' Qatar after accepting $400million pricey jet surfaces - The Economic Times


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Key Controversy: Trump's Acceptance of Qatari Jet

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's Justification

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.

Contradictory Statements

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.

Reactions and Criticisms

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.

The Plane's Fate

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.

Additional Details

  • Trump's visit to Qatar: The article mentions Trump's planned visit to Qatar.
  • Transparency Claims: The White House maintains that the acceptance complies with relevant laws and is fully transparent.
  • Boeing Delays: The article points to Boeing's delays in constructing the next generation Air Force One as a contributing factor to the acceptance of the Qatari jet.
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US President Donald Trump will reportedly receive a $400 million gold-plated luxury jet from Qatar as a 'gift'. The US president toured the Boeing 747-8 earlier this year and he is now preparing to accept it as a gift from the Qatari royal family.

Trump has defended the White House plan to receive a luxury jumbo jet from Qatar to be used as America's Air Force One presidential plane. "They're giving us a gift," Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday, adding that he would be "a stupid person" if he did not accept it.

'Funders of terrorism'

The old video of Trump was dug up an X account, formerly known as Twitter, called 'Call to Activism', which was founded by Attorney Joe Gallina. "We dug up a video of Donald Trump trashing Qatar in 2017, calling them 'funders of terrorism,'" they wrote. "I’m sure he would hate if this clip changed their mind to give him a $400 million plane - so definitely don’t repost it." Trump has once again found himself switching sides after he trashed in a recently unearthed speech from 2017. In the speech, Trump can be heard calling the country, which is reportedly giving him $400 million jet, "funders of terrorism", The Irish Star reported.

ALSO READ: Gold walls, opulent furnishings: All about $400m 'flying palace' from Qatar which Trump will use as Air Force One

Live Events

"The nation of Qatar has, unfortunately, been a funder of terrorism at a very high level," Trump said outside the White House. "And in the wake of that conference, nations came together and spoke to me about confronting Qatar over its behavior."

— VividProwess (@VividProwess)

"So we had a decision to make," Trump blustered on. " Do we take the easy road, or do we finally take a hard but necessary action? We have to stop the funding of terrorists.

"I decided, along with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, our great generals and military people, that the time had come to call on Qatar to end its funding ... They have to end that funding," Trump added.

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

'Very nice gesture'

“And I think Qatar, who has really — we’ve helped them a lot over the years in terms of security and safety — I felt they, I think they — and very, very nicely — and I have a lot of respect for the leadership and for the leader.”

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

'Gesture of good faith'

Trump said the leadership of Qatar knew that Boeing has encountered delays building the next generation of the Air Force One aircraft and wanted to help by giving a plane to the US government. He said, “I could be a stupid person and say we don’t want a free plane” but that the gift from Qatar “helps us out” because the models he currently flies on are decades old.

“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.

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