President Donald Trump defended his administration's decision to accept a $400 million luxury aircraft from Qatar during a press conference Monday, saying that the plane is a gift to the Department of Defense and not to him personally. He then dismissed suggestions that the arrangement raises ethical or constitutional concerns.
"They're giving us a free jet," said Trump when asked about the aircraft, a Boeing 747-8 configured for presidential use. "I could say no, no, I want to pay you $400 million, or I could say 'thank you very much," he said before repeatedly characterizing a potential refusal to accept the offer as "stupid." He also cited delays in Boeing's delivery of the next Air Force One as a justification for accepting the gift and said he would "never be one to turn down that kind of offer."
Trump on getting a free luxury plane from Qatar: "I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer." pic.twitter.com/i4A2BH0pp9
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 12, 2025
Later in the press conference, which was originally scheduled to announce an executive order aimed at knocking down prescription drug prices by implementing a "most favored nation" policy, Trump pushed back against reporting by ABC News, which first revealed the Qatar plane arrangement, calling the network "a disaster" and accusing it of spreading "fake news.":
ABC News reporter: What do you say to people who view that luxury jet as a personal gift to you?
President Trump: You're ABC fake news, right? Let me tell you -- you should be embarrassed asking that question. They're giving us a free jet ... when they give you a putt, you pick it up and you walk to the next hole
REPORTER: What do you say to people who view that luxury jet as a personal gift to you?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 12, 2025
TRUMP: You're ABC fake news, right? Let me tell you -- you should be embarrassed asking that question. They're giving us a free jet ... when they give you a putt, you pick it up and you walk… pic.twitter.com/dP2EJHYkcy
As ABC News reported on Sunday, the Trump administration is preparing to accept the gift that is to be available for use by President Donald Trump as the new Air Force One until shortly before he leaves office, at which time ownership of the plane will be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the legal details behind the gift are "still being worked out," adding that "any donation to this government is always done in full compliance with the law, and we commit ourselves to the utmost transparency, and we will continue to do that," as reported by Reuters.
When asked during Monday's press conference whether Qatar has requested anything in return, Trump said "no," and added that the aircraft is not comparable to the aging planes currently used as Air Force One. "It's not even in the same ball game," he said.
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