President Donald Trump has doubled down on his highly-criticized plan to simply accept a luxurious Boeing jet from Qatar, claiming that the “free” reward will save the USA cash that may as a substitute be spent to “Make America Nice Once more.”
“The Boeing 747 is being given to the USA Air Drive/Division of Protection, NOT TO ME! It’s a reward from a Nation, Qatar, that we now have efficiently defended for a few years,” Trump mentioned in a put up on his social media platform, Fact Social, late on Tuesday, Might 13.
“Solely a FOOL wouldn’t settle for this reward on behalf of our nation,” he added, after stating that the gifted jet—a Boeing 747-8 price an estimated $400 million—might be used as a “non permanent Air Drive One” while the U.S. waits for its official jet to be prepared.
Trump additional defined his stance throughout an interview with Fox Information’ Sean Hannity, which aired on Tuesday night time. He mentioned he’s nonetheless ready to obtain the Air Drive One jet that he signed off on throughout his first time period—a wait he predicts will final one other two years—and that Qatar provided to assist present a aircraft within the interim.
He claimed that different international locations have far superior planes to the present Air Drive One: “We’re the USA of America and I consider we should always have probably the most spectacular aircraft.”
“Some individuals say you should not settle for presents for the nation, my angle is: ‘Why would not I settle for a present? We’re giving to everybody else,’” Trump argued.
“I get nothing, I get to fly it like another President would,” he added, stating the Qatar-gifted jet might be “decommissioned” as soon as the U.S.-ordered Air Drive One aircraft is prepared. (Two modified Boeing 747 planes function Air Drive One.)
Of the pre-ordered jet that’s presently beneath building, Trump mentioned: “We’re portray it purple, white, and blue. Similar to the American flag.”
Trump’s deliberate acceptance of this reward has raised authorized and moral issues from each Democrats and Republicans.
Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer mentioned on Tuesday that he can be putting a blanket maintain on Justice Division nominees awaiting Senate affirmation till the White Home supplies a full accounting of the deal.
“This isn’t simply bare corruption, it’s the sort of factor that even Putin would give a double take,” Schumer mentioned on the Senate ground.
In the meantime, Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts informed TIME: “He’s going to show Air Drive One into Bribe Drive One. Congress must be concerned with such a transparent menace to our nationwide safety.”
Learn Extra: Democrats Seize on Trump’s Qatar Aircraft Deal to Impress Voters
Republicans equivalent to Senate Majority Chief John Thune and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas additionally voiced their issues over the reward from the Qatari royal household, highlighting the safety dangers of accepting the jet and the potential excessive prices of checking the Boeing for international surveillance units.
Nicely-known conservative voices have taken concern, too. Proper-wing commentators Laura Loomer and Ben Shapiro have each sharply criticized the President’s plan, with Shapiro citing Qatar’s relationship with Hamas officers, a few of whom who beforehand resided within the nation.
