It will be for Republicans and even for the loyal supporters of Maga more and more difficultthe unconstitutional or otherwise misguided actions of Donald Trump to defend as president.
Sharp criticism – even from your own warehouse
In the case of the Acceptance of a $ 400 million luxury jets out of Qatar They don’t even try it through Trump. And some of them, including some of the most loyal defenders of the President, shy away from judging this brazen corrupt action.
Laura Loomer and right commentators practice open contradiction
Laura Loomerthe right-wing extremist conspiracy theorist and die-hard Trump supporter (and consultant), reacted immediately to the news on Sunday that the government is preparing to accept the expensive jet from the desert state. Who should remain in his presidential library to Trump’s departure from the office.
“I love President Trump. I would sacrifice myself for him. But I have to name things by name. We cannot accept $ 400 million gift from jihadists in suits”, ” wrote She added to X. Loomer that the assumption of the aircraft was ‘such an eyesore’ for the government.
Conservative media and FOX news heads also doubt
“Exactly”, replied Mark Levin, one of Trump’s most passionate supporters at Fox News, whose flattering reporting the President often praises.
The right -wing commentator Ben Shapiro said in his podcast. “Is that good for President Trump? Is it good for his agenda? Is it good for the drainage of the swamp?” he asked. “The answer is: No, that’s not.
Republican senators express constitutional and security policy concerns
Republican MPs were also not enthusiastic.
“In Article II of the constitution it says that the president may not accept any grants or gifts from foreign heads of state”, said Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) To Fox News on Monday. Before he tried to analyze whether the gift could be accepted if it were only used for official purposes. “We don’t talk about a flight by plane. We talk about the entire $ 400 million aircraft. I think it is not worth the appearance of inappropriateness.”
Josh Hawley and Rick Scott doubt patriotism and security
“It would be better if Air Force One were a big, beautiful jet that was manufactured in the United States of America,” said Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), According to The Hill. Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) Seemed the most to be concerned about security. “I don’t fly with an airplane from Qatar. They support Hamas. I don’t know how to make it safe,” he said. Senator Susan Collins (R-Main) joined Paul. And wondered “whether the government violates the gift law”.
The concerns are justified. The constitution saidthat the president can accept “no gifts … any kind” from another state without the consent of the congress.
Disagreement and excuses in the Republican party leadership
Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) commented on security concerns on Tuesday. “I think the plane is a significant problem in terms of espionage and surveillance”, he said Compared to CNBC. “We will see how it develops. But I definitely have concerns.”
ABC News lifts outhow some Republicans completely avoided the topic. The leading Republican in the Senate, John Thune, and the leading Republican in the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, said on Monday that they did not know enough about the situation to comment. MP Mike Lawler (Rn.Y.) said Fox News on Tuesday that he wanted to obtain “more and more information” about the situation. However, noted that “we do not want to accept any gifts from foreign governments”.
Kevin McCarthy criticizes, but relieves Trump personally
The former top republican politician in the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, was not so evasive in an interview with CNN. “I don’t think that another country should make America available”, said he. “We don’t need that.” McCarthy criticized the gift, but tried absurdly to keep Trump free from responsibility. “I don’t know which employee worked on it. But I know [Stabschefin] Susie [Wiles] and President Trump. And that’s probably not what you want. “
Trump’s reaction: defiant defense of the gift
Trump however made it clearthat he wanted the plane very comfortably. In fact, he described everyone who said that he shouldn’t have assumed it as “stupid”.
“I think that’s a great gesture from Qatar. I really appreciate that,” he said on Monday. “And I would never be someone who rejects such an offer.” Trump later attacked a reporter who asked him about the gift and scolded the legendary golfer Sam Snead, whose motto was, according to Trump, to take the putts that the opponent offers. “Many people are stupid. They say: ‘No, no, I insist to put him.’ Then they miss it.
“You give us a jet,” emphasized the president in disbelief that someone could question the assumption of such a gift from a country in the Middle East that is known.
Connection with personal golf resort deal in Qatar
Trump is on Tuesday as part of his first official trip abroad of his second term in Saudi Arabia. Soon he will continue to Qatar. Where his company recently concluded a contract for the construction of a golf resector.