MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace couldn’t contain herself during Monday’s broadcast and stifled some nervous laughter while reporting on President Donald Trump — who waved away all ethical concerns in potentially accepting a $400 million Boeing 747 from Qatar.
Wallace was reading from an NBC News article published Sunday that cited sources familiar with the matter who confirmed Trump “is preparing to accept” the luxury aircraft as a replacement for the current Air Force One. He has since called critics of the gift “World Class Losers.”
“Two of the sources also confirm that ownership of the plane will be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation once the president ends his second term,” Wallace read on the air Monday, with this final portion prompting her to audibly chuckle.
“I’m laughing ’cause I try not to cry anymore,” she told her viewers through stifled laughter.
“Now, you might find yourself asking, ‘Can he do that when the price of a pizza brushes up against the upper limits of what is on the books and considered an acceptable legal gift for any normal federal employee?’” Wallace continued in reference to the ethical questions.
While the president suggested on social media that it would be foolish to decline the “FREE OF CHARGE” gift, Democrats, independents, and even some Republicans have decried the idea for blurring the lines around public service and Trump’s personal gain.
“I don’t know who needs to hear this, but NO, Donald Trump cannot accept a $400 million flying palace from the royal family of Qatar,” Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) wrote Sunday on X, formerly Twitter. “Not only is this farcically corrupt, it is blatantly unconstitutional.”
“I’m so disappointed,” far-right GOP influencer Laura Loomer wrote on the platform.
The Constitution does indeed prohibit federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign nations without congressional approval. Known as the foreign emoluments clause, it is intended to prevent foreign governments from gaining undue influence over U.S. officials.
Trump traveled to the Middle East on Monday and received a royal welcome from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Tuesday upon arriving in Saudi Arabia. The president’s trip, amid Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza, includes the controversy-laden stop in Qatar.
Watch the full MSNBC segment below: