Republicans had been on Capitol Hill Monday night time as they dodged or laughed off ABC Information’ unique reporting that President Donald Trump was contemplating accepting a luxurious jet as a present from the Qatari authorities to probably use as Air Pressure One.
Whereas a number of senators averted questions or made jokes, few had been prepared to offer a full-throated protection of the proposed present.
Like most Republicans, Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., initially stated she did not know sufficient in regards to the story to remark however referred to as it “an fascinating one.”
When ABC Information instructed her that Trump meant to make use of the gifted airplane as Air Pressure One, she broke into laughter. “It would make me take into account the appropriateness of that? Sure,” she stated.
Requested if she had safety issues about its use as Air Pressure One, she broke out laughing and stated, “Nicely, they higher sweep that airplane from entrance to again.”
The motorcade of President Donald Trump is parked subsequent to a 12-year previous Qatari-owned Boeing 747-8 that Trump was touring in West Palm Seaside, Fla., Feb. 15, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters, File
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., made a tongue-in-cheek remark of his personal when requested about safety issues.
“Nicely, I believe it would be higher if it had been an enormous, lovely jet made in america of America,” he stated.
Majority Chief John Thune stated he wanted extra info on the studies earlier than he might make an applicable evaluation. “I do not know sufficient about it but and I do not know that it is — I do not know if there’s — any provide. I am certain if and when now we have extra info, we’ll kind it out,” Thune stated.
Home Speaker Mike Johnson refused to remark, saying he did not have sufficient info. “I am not going to touch upon it,” Johnson stated, including, “I have not seen all the small print about it.”
When requested in regards to the price ticket of the potential present — an estimated $400 million – Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., sidestepped the difficulty.
“I believe we must observe the regulation, no matter that’s,” he stated. “Nicely, France gave us the Statue of Liberty,” Kennedy instructed reporters.
