United States President Donald Trump defended his decision to accept a $400 million aircraft from Qatar to replace temporarily Air Force One, stating that it was given to the defence department and added that only a fool would not accept a free gift. Trump on Sunday confirmed that the US will receive a luxurious Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from Qatar’s royal family for free. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “The Boeing 747 is being given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defense, NOT TO ME! 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. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he added. The luxurious aircraft features a master bedroom, guest suite, two full bathrooms, five lounges, a private office, and five kitchens, all designed by French firm Alberto Pinto. Unlike commercial 747s that carry over 460 passengers, this jet is configured for just 90 VIPs and 14 crew, with business-class seating limited to a few rows.Read more: Qatari royals offer Donald Trump a lavish $400 million 747 jet: Here’s what’s insideThe aircraft also have live TV, internet connectivity, 13 Blu-ray players, over 40 televisions, and plush interiors with gold-accented furnishings.In an interview with Fox News, Trump compared Air Force One to aircraft owned by Middle Eastern nations, noting, “And when you land and you see Saudi Arabia and you see [the United Arab Emirates] and you can see Qatar and you see all these – and they have these brand new Boeing 747s, mostly, and you see ours next to it – this is like a totally different plane.”Discussing Air Force One, a modified Boeing 747-200B that entered service in 1990, Trump remarked, “It’s much smaller. It’s much less impressive, as impressive as it is,” adding, “And you know, we’re the United States of America – I believe that we should have the most impressive plane.”According to ABC News, the 13-year-old aircraft, requiring modifications to meet Air Force One specifications, could potentially be transferred to Trump’s presidential library foundation after his presidency.
Trump recounted the offer: “‘We would like to make a gift. You’ve done so many things. And we’d like to make the gift to the Defense Department,’ which is where it’s going,” and added, “And I said, ‘Well, that’s nice.'”Addressing criticism about accepting diplomatic presents, the president expressed confusion.On “Hannity,” Trump defended his position: “Some people say, ‘Oh, you shouldn’t accept gifts for the country.’ My attitude is, why wouldn’t I accept a gift? We’re giving to everybody else, why wouldn’t I accept a gift?” He noted, “Because it’s going to be a couple of years, I think, before the Boeings are finished.”