President Donald Trump defended his decision to accept $400 million from Qatar in an exclusive interview with Sean Hannity on Tuesday.
Trump plans to accept strong opposition from the 747-8 jet of the Katari royal family since the news of the gift was released on Sunday.
“Now, somebody said, ‘Oh, you shouldn’t accept gifts from the country.’ My attitude is, why don’t I accept other people? The president said to Hannity.
Trump's proposal to defend Qatar's giant jet aircraft as troubled Boeing fails to deliver a new Air Force fleet
President Donald Trump continues to defend his decision, demanding that a $400 million luxury jet be accepted on Tuesday's Qatari Royal Firnal for temporary use as Air Force One in an exclusive interview with Sean Hannity on Tuesday. (Fox News)
The luxury jet was offered to the United States as a temporary mode of transportation, and it would not have to fly the current presidential aircraft due to delays in producing the new Air Force One fleet.
Trump said the AF1 has nearly 40 years of history compared to the aircraft from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, and looks "impressive".
"You know, we are the United States of America. I believe we should have the most impressive aircraft," Trump told Hannity.
Trump clarifies ownership of the plane in order to defend Qatar's gift
In addition to Boeing's range of deliveries to the new fleet, the giant jets have also provided the Ministry of Defense with many years of gifts of "a job" to "successfully defending Qatar."
"Why our military, as well as our taxpayers, should be forced to pay hundreds of millions of dollars, and they can get it for free from a country that hopes to reward us for the work we do well," he wrote.
Trump said the plane will be retired to the Presidential Library once Boeing offers a new AF1 fleet.
Click here to get the Fox News app
The president will make his next stop on a three-day Middle East visit in Qatar on Wednesday, the first major international trip in his second term.
Donald Trump walked out of the Air Force on a purple carpet at Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
He met with Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.