President Donald Trump reiterated Tuesday that the jet gifted to him by Qatar is being given to the United States Air Force and the Department of Defense, suggesting that it would save American taxpayers money.
In a late-night Truth Social post from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the president said: "It is a gift from a Nation, Qatar, that we have successfully defended for many years. It will be used by our Government as a temporary Air Force One, until such time as our new Boeings, which are very late on delivery, arrive."
"Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for FREE from a country that wants to reward us for a job well done. This big savings will be spent, instead, to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Only a FOOL would not accept this gift on behalf of our Country," he added.
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Social media users including journalists reacted to the president's statement saying that it is Trump who would benefit from the jet.
ABC News reporter Katherine Faulders said: "Trump suggests that the Qatar jet will cost taxpayers zero dollars. But according to our exclusive reporting this weekend, the US Air Force will modify the plane to meet specifications required to transport a president and when the plane is transferred to the presidential library any costs relating to its transfer will be paid for by the Air Force."
Georgetown University adjunct faculty Brett Bruen wrote: "Only a fool would sully the image of his nation by flying around in another country’s plane…"
Another user wrote: "It's mid 2025. If it's even possible to retrofit this aircraft to make it suitable for Presidential transport, which I strongly doubt (comms, air to air refueling, ECM, EMP protection etc etc), the amount of work needed means it can't be don't before at least 2027, when the new jets come into service anyway. This is a bribe for Trump's personal use after office only."
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Earlier, Trump defended supported the White House's plan to acquire a luxury jumbo jet from Qatar for use as America's Air Force One presidential aircraft.
"They're giving us a gift," the president told reporters at the White House on Monday, adding that he would be "a stupid person" if he did not accept it.
Earlier, a Qatari spokesperson stated that it would be "inaccurate" to label the aircraft as a gift. He explained that the transfer of an airplane for "temporary use" was being negotiated between the two nations. This development occurs as Trump is preparing to visit Qatar later this week.