President Donald Trump defended his administration's decision to accept a $400 million luxury aircraft from Qatar during a press conference Monday, saying that the plane is a gift to the Department of Defense and not to him personally. He then dismissed suggestions that the arrangement raises ethical or constitutional concerns.
"They're giving us a free jet," said Trump when asked about the aircraft, a Boeing 747-8 configured for presidential use. "I could say no, no, I want to pay you $400 million, or I could say 'thank you very much," he said before repeatedly characterizing a potential refusal to accept the offer as "stupid." He also cited delays in Boeing's delivery of the next Air Force One as a justification for accepting the gift and said he would "never be one to turn down that kind of offer."
