At a tense White House press conference on Wednesday, former U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out at NBC reporter Peter Alexander after being questioned about the Pentagon's acceptance of a $400 million Boeing 747 donated by Qatar, intended for temporary use as Air Force One. The exchange occurred during Trump’s meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, which had already been politically charged due to a video Trump showed highlighting violence against white farmers in South Africa—an issue that has drawn criticism for echoing far-right conspiracy narratives.
When Alexander brought up the Qatari jet, Trump appeared visibly irritated and dismissed the question. “What are you talking about? You know, you ought to get out of here,” Trump said sharply. He defended the jet’s acceptance as a “great thing” and accused NBC of trying to divert attention from the South Africa video. The confrontation escalated quickly, with Trump insulting Alexander’s intelligence and professionalism, stating, “You’re not smart enough… You are a disgrace. No more questions from you.”
He also attacked NBC’s corporate leadership, singling out Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, saying, “They ought to be investigated.” The aggressive response was in line with Trump’s pattern of openly confronting media figures, particularly from outlets he views as adversarial.
Later, Trump reiterated his stance on his social media platform Truth Social, clarifying that the plane was not a personal gift but a contribution from Qatar to the U.S. Air Force. “It is a gift from a nation, Qatar. It will be used by our Government as a temporary Air Force One, until such time as our new Boeings arrive,” he posted.
The Department of Defense has confirmed receipt of the aircraft and emphasized that the transaction adhered to federal laws. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that the jet would be outfitted with the necessary security measures before any presidential use, and that all procedures were conducted in accordance with federal rules and regulations.
However, the incident has sparked broader questions about the optics and implications of accepting such a high-value asset from a foreign government. Critics are voicing concern about potential ethical and national security implications, including the risk of foreign influence and the precedent it sets for future defense acquisitions.
While the Pentagon is proceeding with preparations to convert the plane, the political fallout from the press conference—marked by Trump's combative tone and the optics of foreign influence in a presidential asset—may continue to ripple through Washington in the days ahead.
