The Pentagon’s recent move to take a Qatari Boeing 747 as a future Air Force One has drawn scathing responses, especially from US President Donald Trump. In a heated White House session with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Trump forcefully brushed aside queries from an NBC reporter about the aircraft. Labeling the reporter as “terrible” and “not smart enough,” Trump deflected the spotlight toward South Africa’s domestic affairs, berating NBC and its management.
This episode highlights the growing tension between political leaders and the media, as well as the difficulties faced when sensitive diplomatic and defense issues become public.
Trump’s Blistering Words Against the Media
Trump responded as quickly as he spoke acid-tongued words. Upon the question by the reporter regarding the Qatari jet, Trump replied, “What are you talking about? .What are you talking about? You know. You need to get out of here. What does this have to do with Qatari Jet? They are giving the United States Air Force a jet, and it’s a great thing. We’re talking about a lot of other things, and NBC is trying to get off the subject of what you just saw. You are a terrible reporter. Number one, you don’t have what it takes to be a reporter. You are not smart enough.”
He called for investigations into NBC and its parent company CEO Brian Roberts, labeling the network “a disgrace.” His unapologetic criticism exposes profound tensions with media entities, especially those he feels are working against his government.
The Diplomatic and Strategic Significance of the Gift
Despite Trump’s tone dominating the news, the gift itself is deeply diplomatically and militarily meaningful. Qatar’s royal family donated the Boeing 747, worth about USD 400 million, to the United States as an expression of a firm bilateral relationship. According to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, the transfer is in complete accordance with US laws and regulations. The Defence Department confirmed it will extensively overhaul and equip the planes to use as a presidential transport, temporarily filling in for the aging Air Force One fleet until new planes come.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth received the gift, pointing to the practical and strategic significance of the aircraft. Trump also emphasized the economic significance of the Qatar-US relationship, saying, “But for you to proceed to a topic regarding a jet that was donated to the United States Air Force, which is a very nice thing. They also contributed USD 5.1 trillion in investments in addition to the jet.”
Navigating Media, Politics, and Public Perception
Trump highlighted the gift’s political importance, not personal possession, in his response on Truth Social, “The Boeing 747 is being gifted to the United States Air Force/Department of Defence, NOT TO ME! It is a gift from a country, Qatar, that we have successfully defended for many years. It will be used by our Government as a temporary Air Force One, until our new Boeing, which are very late on delivery, come.”
This explanation separates the gift from personal benefit, but the heated exchange at the White House reveals how political figures turn even diplomatic gestures contentious, especially when they view the media as critical or adversarial.