Trump Spars With NBC Reporter Over Qatar’s Donated Jumbo Jet During White House Press Briefing

A tense exchange erupted in the Oval Office on Wednesday when President Donald Trump challenged an NBC reporter’s questions about the Pentagon’s decision to accept a Qatari Boeing 747 that could serve temporarily as Air Force One, as per Fox News.

The incident occurred during a joint appearance with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, moments after Trump showed video footage highlighting alleged violence against White South African farmers. As reporters were invited to ask questions, an NBC journalist asked why the Department of Defense would accept an aircraft from Qatar.

“What are you talking about? You know, you ought to get out of here,” Trump shot back, labeling the reporter “a terrible reporter” and accusing NBC of diverting attention from the South Africa discussion.

Trump asserted that the jet is “a nice thing” for the United States Air Force and said Qatar is also pledging “$5.1 trillion worth of investment” in addition to the aircraft.

Earlier Wednesday, the Pentagon confirmed it will receive a used 747 from the Qatari government to bolster presidential airlift capability while Boeing finishes overdue replacements for the existing Air Force One fleet. The arrangement has faced bipartisan scrutiny over potential espionage risks and constitutional concerns related to the Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign states without congressional approval.

Critics argue the donation could violate that clause, though some legal scholars contend it does not apply to a gift accepted by the U.S. government rather than the president personally.

Democrats have called for an ethics investigation, and at least one House Democrat has requested a formal probe into the Qatari plane deal. Some Republicans have also voiced reservations, cautioning that foreign gifts might compromise national security.

The Trump administration maintains the plane will belong to the Department of Defense and serve only as an interim presidential aircraft until Boeing delivers the new VC-25B “Air Force One” jets, now delayed well past their original timeline. Trump has repeatedly faulted Boeing for the setbacks.

Wednesday’s briefing also underscored the administration’s recent policy shift on South Africa, where the White House has begun granting refugee status to White Afrikaner farmers, citing “unjust racial discrimination.” Trump used the press event to condemn alleged atrocities in South Africa before the exchange with the NBC reporter escalated.