President Donald Trump lashed out at ABC News reporter Rachel Scott on Monday after she questioned whether accepting a luxury jet from Qatar amounted to a personal gift. During the fiery exchange in the Oval Office, Trump snapped, “You should be embarrassed asking that question,” and insisted the jet would go to the Department of Defense, not to him.
Trump defended the $400 million Boeing 747-8, calling it a temporary replacement for Air Force One due to delays in Boeing’s delivery of new aircraft. He compared the situation to golf etiquette, saying, “When they give you a putt, you pick it up… and say, ‘Thank you very much.’” He mocked critics for wanting the U.S. to reject a free plane and pay “top dollar” instead.
When pressed again about the optics, Trump doubled down, accusing Scott and ABC of being a “disaster,” and called the criticism “fake outrage” from Democrats. He emphasized the deal is legal and transparent and confirmed the plane is under review by the Defense Department.
Trump also reiterated the point on Truth Social, claiming the plane was a gift to America, not to him personally. “The Dems are World Class Losers,” he wrote. The clash adds fuel to a growing controversy over whether accepting high-value foreign gifts raises constitutional and ethical red flags.
