Comedian Bill Maher has accused President Trump of accepting luxury Boeing jets from the Qatari royal family, framing Trump’s recent trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE as what he termed “bromance diplomacy.”
During his commentary, Maher noted, “He was in the Middle East this week. A lot has happened. He’s in Saudi Arabia. Things are certainly lively there.”
He went on to share some humorous observations. “They really adore him there. It’s like they had camels, Teslas, horses, and dancing girls… purple carpets everywhere.”
Maher joked about an absurd addition too, saying, “And then they set up a mobile McDonald’s—quite different from what you might expect, with Happy Meal toys being, well, small bone saws.”
The White House highlighted various business deals and financial investments from Trump’s visit to the Gulf states.
Interestingly, the administration touted a $600 billion agreement with Saudi Arabia, although many projects announced were already in the works before Trump took office last year. Additionally, Qatar Airways is set to buy 150 aircraft from Boeing, while Trump has secured a $200 billion agreement with the UAE, which includes plans for an aluminum factory in the U.S.
In Maher’s view, “I say I did this, and everyone will say ‘Well, okay.’ But who’s actually going to cut the ribbon?”
Maher, who previously critiqued the administration’s tariff policies, mentioned he had dined with Trump on March 31 and found him to be “graceful and measured.”
Then he quipped, “When you travel, you usually want souvenirs. So, he got a $400 million plane from them. That’s quite the gift.”
He added, “Now, if President Obama had accepted this, I can only imagine what Fox News would say.”
Trump has defended his acceptance of the Boeing 747-8 from Qatar, asserting that the jet is valued at around $400 million and will be handed over to the Department of Defense, replacing an aging aircraft used for over three decades.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump expressed, “This is just a left-wing narrative. People here want to portray it as outrageous, and yet they expect me to cover a billion dollars.”
The plane later found its way to what will become Trump’s presidential library, causing ethical and security concerns among some lawmakers.
Trump remarked, “This is being sent to the U.S. Air Force for a president. It’s like when Ronald Reagan was in office. If they don’t want it, it will go away.”
While he mentioned it wouldn’t be used when he leaves office, some remain skeptical of that claim. “It’s not just about using it; it’s more about the optics,” Maher noted.
He concluded with a playful observation, stating, “But, um… Trump now has four planes. He’s got two Air Forces offered by the government plus his own, and now he adds this one to the mix.”
