During a White House press briefing on May 12, 2025, President Donald Trump engaged in a heated exchange with ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott concerning the administration’s acceptance of a $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 jet from Qatar. Scott questioned whether the jet could be perceived as a personal gift to Trump, prompting a sharp rebuke from the president.
“You’re ABC fake news, right?” Trump retorted. “Let me tell you, you should be embarrassed asking that question. They’re giving us a free jet. I could say, ‘No, no, no, don’t give us. I want to pay you a billion, or 400 million, or whatever it is.’ Or I could say thank you very much.”
When Scott attempted to follow up, Trump interrupted, asserting, “It’s not a gift to me, it’s a gift to the Department of Defense. And you should know better, because you’ve been embarrassed enough, and so has your network. Your network is a disaster. ABC is a disaster.”
The confrontation occurred shortly before the Pentagon confirmed it had formally accepted the Qatari jet, which is intended for use as Air Force One during Trump’s second term. The aircraft, previously part of Qatar’s Amiri Flight, boasts an opulent interior designed by French firm Cabinet Alberto Pinto, featuring private bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, showers, office space, dining rooms, and lounges.
The decision to accept the jet has sparked bipartisan concerns. Critics argue that accepting such a significant gift from a foreign government may violate the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause and pose national security risks, including potential espionage threats. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced legislation to block taxpayer funding for retrofitting foreign aircraft and vowed to delay Justice Department confirmations until details emerge.
Despite the criticism, Trump has defended the acceptance of the jet, describing it as a generous gesture from Qatar that could save American taxpayers money, especially given delays in Boeing’s delivery of new Air Force One aircraft, now expected no earlier than 2029. He has also stated plans to donate the plane to his presidential library after his tenure.
The Department of Defense has assured that all federal regulations were followed and that the Air Force will oversee the necessary modifications to ensure the aircraft meets all security requirements. The retrofitting process includes installing advanced security, communication, and defense systems, potentially costing over $1 billion and taking several years to complete.
As the aircraft undergoes the transformation into a secure presidential transport, discussions continue regarding the ethical and security considerations of this unprecedented gift.
The move, first reported by multiple outlets and now confirmed by the Pentagon, came during Trump’s current visit to Qatar — his first international trip of his second term. U.S. officials say the aircraft will undergo extensive upgrades to meet the rigorous security, defense, and communication standards required of a presidential aircraft.
Trump has stated publicly that he plans to donate the jet to his presidential library after leaving office, though critics in both parties remain skeptical. Lawmakers and legal analysts have raised red flags about the optics and legality of accepting a foreign government’s gift, particularly from a country with which the U.S. has strategic ties. Some national security experts have also warned that the aircraft could pose surveillance risks, even after retrofitting.
President Trump has argued that the Qatar jet provides a cost-saving alternative to Boeing’s long-delayed new Air Force One fleet. “Why should Americans wait and spend billions more when we have a world-class plane ready to go?” Trump said, defending the deal. “And I’m giving it back to the American people when I’m done.”
