Former VP Mike Pence calls the $400 million Qatari jet reward ‘a nasty thought’ that Trump must flip down

Former Vice President Mike Pence stated Sunday that President Donald Trump must flip down the reward of a $400 million jet from the royal circle of relatives of Qatar, bringing up nationwide safety issues.

“Qatar has a long history of playing both sides,” Pence stated in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “The very idea that we would accept an Air Force One from Qatar I think is inconsistent with our security, with our intelligence needs … I think it’s just a bad idea, and my hope is the president will think better of it.”

Trump’s plan to simply accept the lavish Qatari jumbo jet, a Boeing 747-8, and convert it for use as Air Force One has sparked fierce controversy over the legality, ethics and nationwide safety implications of what will be the greatest overseas reward ever won by means of the U.S. executive.

Trump in the past stated any acceptance of the plane could be because of delays at U.S. producer Boeing.

“There are profound issues, the potential for intelligence gathering, the need to ensure the president of the United States is safe and secure as he travels around the world,” Pence stated. “My hope is the president reconsiders it. I think if Qatar wants to make a gift to the United States, they ought to take that $400 million and plow it into infrastructure on our military base.”

Trump stated the aircraft can be officially given to the U.S. Department of Defense. Once Trump ends his 2nd time period as president, the possession of the reward is predicted to be transferred to the Trump presidential library basis. By doing so, the palatial jet would by no means be owned for my part by means of Trump.

“This highly respected country is donating the plane to the United States Air Force/ Defense Department, AND NOT TO ME,” Trump stated in a put up on Truth Social Sunday. “By so doing, they are saving our country, and the American Taxpayer, hundreds of millions of dollars.”