Trump Clashes with Reporter Over Qatari Jet Query: 'Get Out of Here'

At a White House press engagement on Wednesday (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump attacked an NBC journalist who asked him about the Pentagon's plan to reuse a Qatari Boeing 747 for Air Force One in the future. Trump brushed aside the question, calling the journalist "terrible" and "not smart enough" to be a professional.

The outburst happened at a meeting between Trump and South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa. Clearly infuriated, Trump accused the journalist of guiding him away from talking about more important issues, especially his worries about violence and discriminatory acts against white farmers in South Africa.

Trump escalated further, attacking NBC management and calling for CEO and chairperson of the parent company Brian Roberts to be investigated. He called the network "a disgrace.

In a defiant answer to the reporter's question, Trump responded, "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 presenting the United States Air Force with a jet, and it's a wonderful thing. We're discussing a lot of other things, and this NBC is attempting to get off the topic of what you just witnessed. You are a bad reporter. Number one, you don't possess what it takes to be a reporter. You are not clever enough."

Proceeding with my criticism, I added, "You should return to your studio at NBC, because Brian Roberts and the individuals who run that establishment, they should be investigated. They are so bad in the manner in which you operate that network. And you are a shame. No more questions from you."

Defending the jet donation from Qatar, Trump emphasized the importance of the act: "But for you to go on to a topic about a jet that was donated to the United States Air Force, which is a very good thing. They also gave us USD 5.1 trillion in terms of investments aside from the jet."

CNN, quoting a Department of Defense spokesperson, had earlier reported that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had been gifted a Boeing 747 by Qatar. The plane will be drastically modified to meet the tight demands of presidential travel and will eventually be used by President Trump.

Earlier, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell declared that the purchase of the aircraft complied with all relevant U.S. laws. He also declared that the Defense Department would see to it that the jet gets properly equipped for its new use as a temporary Air Force One.

Trump also spoke about the matter on Truth Social, making clear that the plane did not come as a personal present to him: "The Boeing 747 is being presented to the United States Air Force/Department of Defence, NOT TO ME! It is a gift from a country, Qatar, which we have successfully protected 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."

As quoted in The Hill, the plane is worth some USD 400 million and was gifted by Qatar's royal family as a diplomatic present to the United States.