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May 12, 2025 – President Donald Trump sharply criticized a reporter who questioned whether a proposed jet from Qatar amounted to a bribe.
The exchange took place in the Oval Office on Monday as Trump was signing an executive order. An ABC News reporter asked about reports that Qatar’s ruling family intended to gift a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet for presidential use.
“What do you say to people who view that luxury jet as a personal gift to you?” asked Rachel Scott.
“You’re ABC Fake News, right? … You should be embarrassed asking that question!” Trump shot back.
He continued, “They’re giving us a free jet. I could say, ‘No, I want to pay you $1 billion,’ or I could say, ‘Thank you.’”
Scott continued pressing the issue, prompting Trump to respond more forcefully.
“It’s not a gift to me. 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,” he said. “Your network is a disaster. ABC is a disaster.”
Critics have claimed the gesture could constitute a bribe, though the White House stated that legal counsel had cleared the gift, saying it did not violate any laws. The Constitution’s Emoluments Clause prohibits public officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) weighed in with a jab at Trump: “Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar. It’s not just bribery, it’s premium foreign influence with extra legroom.”
This wasn’t the first time Trump and Scott clashed. During a 2024 interview with the National Association of Black Journalists, Trump criticized Scott’s demeanor.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner. The first question. You don’t even say, ‘Hello, how are you?’” Trump told her. “Are you with ABC? Because I think they’re a fake news network. A terrible network.”
