Donald Trump Criticizes NBC Reporter for Question About Qatari Jet

Trump Criticizes NBC Journalist During Meeting with South African President

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump criticized an NBC reporter who referred to him as “bad” and “unsmart” after he dismissed questions regarding the Pentagon’s recent announcement about revising the Qatar Boeing 747 for future Air Force use.

During a strained meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House, Trump accused the reporter of deflecting the conversation from more urgent matters, such as violence against white farmers in South Africa and discriminatory laws.

The President suggested that NBC, along with its CEO Brian Roberts, should seriously reconsider their operations and investigate the network’s issues. “What are you talking about? …What are you talking about? You need to get out of here…What does this have to do with Qatar Jets…? They are giving the US Air Force a jet, and that’s great…We’re talking about a lot of other things…This NBC is what you just saw,” he continued, following the reporter’s inquiry about the jet.

Trump defended the gift from Qatar, asserting, “But this is a very good thing to continue with the subject of the jets given to the US Air Force. They also gave the jets worth $5.1 trillion in addition to the jets.”

According to CNN, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses accepted the Boeing 747 from Qatar, as confirmed by a Department of Defense spokesperson.

Previously, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell noted that the aircraft’s relocation complies with all U.S. regulations and that the Department of Defense would ensure it is properly equipped for presidential transport.

Trump has previously commented on social media platforms, stating that the jet itself does not belong to him, but is “a gift from the country.” He emphasized, “The Boeing 747 is given to the US Air Force, not me. It is a gift from Qatar, a country we have protected over the years. Our government will be used as a temporary air force.”