A rare split appeared in the MAGA world, as some of US President Donald Trump’s strongest supporters criticised his decision to accept a private jet from Qatar to use as Air Force One.
While Trump stands by the plan, many right-wing voices called the move “indefensible,” “a bribe,” and “a stain” on his presidency, reports CNN .
The backlash began over the weekend and continued into the week, with top conservative voices using social media and podcasts to urge Trump to rethink the decision to buy the $400 million jet.
'Not draining the swamp'
Ben Shapiro, co-founder of the Daily Wire, was among the first to raise concerns during his podcast. Pointing out how the reaction might differ if political roles were reversed, Shapiro said, “I think if we switched the names to Hunter Biden and Joe Biden, we’d all be freaking out on the right.”
He further linked the jet gift to wider concerns about ethical standards within Trump’s administration. “The administration’s policy is too important for this sort of activity,” he said. “President Trump promised to drain the swamp. This is not, in fact, draining the swamp.”
'Such a stain on the admin if this is true'
Right-wing activist Laura Loomer also took aim at the Qatari jet plan.
“I love President Trump. I would take a bullet for him. But, I have to call a spade a spade,” she posted on X.
“We cannot accept a $400 million ‘gift’ from jihadists in suits. The Qataris fund the same Iranian proxies in Hamas and Hezbollah who have murdered US Service Members. The same proxies that have worked with the Mexican cartels to get jihadists across our border. This is really going to be such a stain on the admin if this is true. And I say that as someone who would take a bullet for Trump. I’m so disappointed," said Loomer.
Fox News host Mark Levin reposted her message and simply added, “Ditto.”
'Do you worry they want something in return?'
“Fox & Friends” co-host Brian Kilmeade brought it up briefly during a segment with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. “Do you worry that if they give us something like this, they want something in return?” he asked. Leavitt deflected the concern, insisting the arrangement would follow all legal requirements.
'This is not a gift … it’s a bribe'
Batya Ungar-Sargon, who frequently appears on CNN and Newsmax supporting the MAGA base, criticised the Qatari jet deal on Monday. “This is not a gift” from Qatar, she said. “It’s a bribe.”
Her view matched the concerns of others who are uneasy about Qatar’s connections to Hamas and its lobbying efforts in Washington.
'Indefensible'
Andrew McCarthy, a contributing editor at the National Review, added his voice with a sharp article.
“The president and his flacks again demonstrate that they don’t grasp the concepts of constitutional duty and conflicts of interest,” he wrote, calling the gift “indefensible."
'Opening Trump up to legal trouble'
Talk radio host Erick Erickson, speaking on his show, argued that Qatar is not a US ally and took aim at former Attorney General Pam Bondi for reportedly greenlighting the legality of the jet gift. “I think she’s opening Donald Trump up to legal trouble later,” Erickson said.
While Trump stands by the plan, many right-wing voices called the move “indefensible,” “a bribe,” and “a stain” on his presidency, reports CNN .
The backlash began over the weekend and continued into the week, with top conservative voices using social media and podcasts to urge Trump to rethink the decision to buy the $400 million jet.
'Not draining the swamp'
Ben Shapiro, co-founder of the Daily Wire, was among the first to raise concerns during his podcast. Pointing out how the reaction might differ if political roles were reversed, Shapiro said, “I think if we switched the names to Hunter Biden and Joe Biden, we’d all be freaking out on the right.”
He further linked the jet gift to wider concerns about ethical standards within Trump’s administration. “The administration’s policy is too important for this sort of activity,” he said. “President Trump promised to drain the swamp. This is not, in fact, draining the swamp.”
'Such a stain on the admin if this is true'
Right-wing activist Laura Loomer also took aim at the Qatari jet plan.
“I love President Trump. I would take a bullet for him. But, I have to call a spade a spade,” she posted on X.
“We cannot accept a $400 million ‘gift’ from jihadists in suits. The Qataris fund the same Iranian proxies in Hamas and Hezbollah who have murdered US Service Members. The same proxies that have worked with the Mexican cartels to get jihadists across our border. This is really going to be such a stain on the admin if this is true. And I say that as someone who would take a bullet for Trump. I’m so disappointed," said Loomer.
Fox News host Mark Levin reposted her message and simply added, “Ditto.”
'Do you worry they want something in return?'
“Fox & Friends” co-host Brian Kilmeade brought it up briefly during a segment with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. “Do you worry that if they give us something like this, they want something in return?” he asked. Leavitt deflected the concern, insisting the arrangement would follow all legal requirements.
'This is not a gift … it’s a bribe'
Batya Ungar-Sargon, who frequently appears on CNN and Newsmax supporting the MAGA base, criticised the Qatari jet deal on Monday. “This is not a gift” from Qatar, she said. “It’s a bribe.”
Her view matched the concerns of others who are uneasy about Qatar’s connections to Hamas and its lobbying efforts in Washington.
'Indefensible'
Andrew McCarthy, a contributing editor at the National Review, added his voice with a sharp article.
“The president and his flacks again demonstrate that they don’t grasp the concepts of constitutional duty and conflicts of interest,” he wrote, calling the gift “indefensible."
'Opening Trump up to legal trouble'
Talk radio host Erick Erickson, speaking on his show, argued that Qatar is not a US ally and took aim at former Attorney General Pam Bondi for reportedly greenlighting the legality of the jet gift. “I think she’s opening Donald Trump up to legal trouble later,” Erickson said.
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