House Speaker Mike Johnson brushed off questions about the $400 million luxury jet offered to President Donald Trump by the government of Qatar, telling reporters it was "not my lane."
"My understanding is it's not a personal gift to the president, it's a gift to the United States," Johnson said. "Other nations give us gifts all the time... I'm going to leave it to the administration. They know much more about the details of that. It's not my lane."
Mike Johnson: "Look, I've been a little busy on reconciliation, so I'm not following all the twists and turns of the Qatar jet. My understanding is it's not a personal gift to the president ... other nations give us gifts all the time ... it's not my lane." pic.twitter.com/OvPPuPhAJW
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 14, 2025
Critics were quick to point out that the Constitution explicitly grants Congress the responsibility to approve gifts from foreign states to U.S. officials. Social media users accused the Speaker of ignoring his constitutional duties — and selectively applying his oversight responsibilities depending on the occupant of the White House.
Approval of gifts to the United States is the function of Congress. That literally is Mike Johnson's lane.
— Robert the Spruce 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 (@Bufshuf) May 14, 2025
"It's LITERALLY YOUR JOB to approve gifts such as this," one user wrote. "If a $400M jet for the President isn't in the Speaker's lane, what exactly IS in his lane? The office supply budget?" another quipped.
"This is 2025. You surely have staff who keeps tabs on things," said one user, adding that any high-level official in D.C. should be immediately informed of major developments like this.
"Not my lane" is a hell of a thing to say about the biggest corruption story of the year.
— Nikos Unity (@nikosunity) May 14, 2025
Others went further, accusing Johnson of cowardice. "Not my job when it most certainly is your job is a sure way to lose your job," a post suggested. "The Constitution requires Congress to approve foreign gifts to federal officers — so it's smack in the middle of your lane," added another.
Mike Johnson is a coward. If this was a Democrat they'd have impeachment proceedings start today.
— Timothy Bellman (@Timothy_Bellman) May 14, 2025
Calls for accountability have intensified amid rising concern over the optics and legality of such a significant gift from a foreign government. Johnson's perceived unwillingness to engage has only amplified scrutiny, especially among critics who argue Republicans would respond very differently if the president were a Democrat.
It would be his "lane" if it was a Democrat in the White House.
— Geffrey Klein (@gyndok) May 14, 2025
As the controversy grows, questions remain not just about the legality of the jet gift — but about who in government is willing to take responsibility for ensuring it receives the proper oversight.
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