It's getting more bizarre by the day: Donald Trump compares $400 million Qatar jet gift to the Statue of Liberty

US president Donald Trump is now equating Qatar's $400 million gift of a high-end Boeing 747 to one of America's most symbolic icons of freedom: the Statue of Liberty.

A Controversial Comparison

Trump reposted on Truth Social this week a photoshopped picture of Lady Liberty with a sign around her neck that said, "Gift from a foreign nation," as per Newsweek. His post highlighted that the statue was gifted to the United States from France.



The US president also reposted another Truth Social post, which was written by Roberta Abbey Wallace, "To everyone complaining about this gift: How about the Resolute Desk aka Hayes Desk that was gifted to President Hayes from Queen Victoria in 1880?," as per the post.


Wallace also questioned, "What about the Statue of Liberty which was gifted from France in 1886?", adding, Be truthful, it is ONLY because it is President Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump that you are spewing your idiocy! The plane is NOT President Trumps!!! It is a gift to AMERICA and the DOD ���� Get over it!"

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Trump even reshared another Truth Social post which defended his stance of accepting the gift, "The Media and the left never have a problem with America giving billions of taxpayers dollars to foreign countries,
but apparently getting a gift from another country is wrong!? Give me a break!," as per Truth Social.

Backlash From Both Sides

His social media posts came after the US president faced backlash from both Democrats and Republicans for accepting Qatar's gift of a $400 million Boeing, according to the report.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer opposed Trump's move, by saying, "The attorney general must testify before both the House and Senate to explain why gifting Donald Trump a private jet does not violate the Emoluments Clause—which requires congressional approval—or any other ethics laws," as quoted by Newsweek.

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White House Responds

While, the White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump's action on Fox & Friends on Monday, by saying, "The Qatari government has graciously offered to donate a plane to the Department of Defense. The legal details of that are still being worked out. But, of course, any donation to this government is always done in full compliance with the law, and we commit ourselves to the utmost transparency, and we will continue to do that," quoted Newsweek.

FAQs

Why is Trump comparing Qatar's gift to the Statue of Liberty?
He’s trying to show that the US has a history of accepting symbolic and practical gifts from allies.

Is the jet for Trump’s personal use?
Trump insists it’s for temporary government use until new Air Force One planes are ready. He claims it will go to his presidential library after his term.