This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
President Donald Trump unleashed his disdain on a top network reporter Monday who asked him about Qatar gifting America with a $400 million 747 aircraft that may be used as the new Air Force One until shortly before he leaves office.
"What do you say to people who view that luxury jet as a personal gift to you?" ABC News senior political correspondent Rachel Scott asked Trump during a signing ceremony for an executive order designed to slash prices for prescription drugs. "Why not leave it behind?"
Trump instantly responded with an attack on Scott and her network, saying: "You're ABC Fake News right? Because only ABC – well, a few of you would. Let me tell you. You should be embarrassed asking that question.
"They're giving us a free jet. I could say no, no, no, don't give us … I want to pay you $1 billion or $400 million or whatever it is or I could say thank you very much."
He then discussed an anecdote concerning pro golfer Sam Snead.
"He had a motto, when they give you a putt, you say, thank you very much. You pick up your ball and you walk to the next hole," Trump recounted.
"A lot of people are stupid. They say, no, no, I insist on putting it. And then they put it, they miss it, and their partner gets angry at them. You know what? Remember that Sam Snead, when they give you a putt, you pick it up and you walk to the next hole and you say, thank you very much."
Scott continued to press the matter, but was cut off by Trump as she asked: "Respectfully, sir, as a businessman, some people may look at this and say, have you ever been given a gift worth millions of dollars and then not …"
"It's not a gift to me," Trump replied. "It's a gift to the Department of Defense and you should know better because you've been embarrassed enough and so has your network. Your network is a disaster. ABC is a disaster."
Regarding the offer of the aircraft, Trump said: "I think it's a great gesture from Qatar. Appreciate it very much. I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer."
"I mean, I could be a stupid person and say, No, we don't want a free, very expensive airplane. But it was, I thought it was a great gesture."
"I think it was a gesture because of the fact that we help, have helped, and continue to, we will continue to all of those countries, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and others," he continued.
Democrats like Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) claim a Qatar Boeing 747-8 jet for Air Force One violates the Foreign Emoluments Clause. This ignores the deal's structure.
The jet is offered to the U.S. Air Force, not Trump personally, for official use.The White House and DOJ say this… pic.twitter.com/0KSrNETf2u
— Media Lies (@MediasLies) May 12, 2025
House Speaker Mike Johnson was asked by ABC about the gift, to which he responded: "I'm not going to comment on it."
"I haven't seen all the details about it."
