As far as President Donald Trump is concerned, the U.S. should not look a gift horse in the mouth — or in this case, a gift airplane.
Trump is referring to a $400 million Boeing 747 the U.S. reportedly plans to accept from Qatar. He insisted the gift is not for him, but for the U.S., Mediaite reported.
The president took to social media early Wednesday morning as he travels through the Middle East.
Trump wrote: “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.”
He added: “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 then reposted from another user who likened this gift to other famous gifts — Luke the Statue of Liberty.
“To everyone complaining about this gift: How about the Resolute Desk aka Hayes Desk that was gifted to President Hayes from Queen Victoria in 1880? What about the Statue of Liberty which was gifted from France in 1886?” the user posted. “Be truthful, it is ONLY because it is President Donald J. Trump that you are spewing your idiocy! The plane is NOT President Trumps!!! It is a gift to AMERICA and the DOD. Get over it!”
However, according to a new YouGov poll, many Americans call the gift “unacceptable.”
Three notable people against the gift are Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).
“I do think the jet probably sends the wrong signal to people, and I don’t like the look or the appearance [of it], so I would hope he rejects it,” Paul told Fox News.
“Qatar is not, in my opinion, a great ally. I mean, they support Hamas. So what I’m worried about is the safety of the president,” Scott said.
Experts say the gift also comes with a hefty price tag as it needs to be overhauled to make sure it meets Air Force One standards, per Mediaite,
