The typically Donald Trump-promoting New York Post joined the chorus of criticism over the president’s Qatari jet controversy as it urged him to “think twice” before accepting a $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 from the emirate’s ruling family.
Trump, who is in the Middle East this week, has defended the reported imminent gift, which will reportedly be used as Air Force One and then transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation upon his leaving of office.
But the tabloid’s conservative editorial board warned of potential conflicts of interest, stated that Qatar is “famous for seeking to buy influence,” cautioned how the “gift” will be “far from free” and said “the optics are beyond awful, especially as Congress mulls hundreds of billions in Medicaid cuts.”
The newspaper’s board damningly concluded: “Team Trump claims the president’s actions are all meant to benefit the nation, but given all the foreign investments and conflicts of interest — and now a $400 million plane — they seem designed to benefit the president more than anything.”