During a tense interview on CNN's State of the Union, Jake Tapper challenged Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about the implications of Qatar's $400 million gift to the Trump administration, expressing skepticism regarding the notion that it came with no strings attached. Tapper highlighted key differences between this gift and historical gifts like the Statue of Liberty, emphasizing that the jet will belong to Trump's foundation rather than the American public. Bessent attempted to downplay concerns by referencing other gifts, but Tapper maintained that no major gift is ever truly without expectations.
You're a hard-nosed businessman, Tapper told Bessent. Even if Qatar isn't asking for anything in return now for the jet, I mean, that's a bill that could come due.
The French gave us the Statue of Liberty. The British gave us the Resolute Desk. I'm not sure they asked for anything in advance.
Unlike the gifts Bessent mentioned from France and Great Britain, the plane will transfer to Trump's library foundation when he is out of office.
It belongs to the American people, Tapper said of the Statue of Liberty. It doesn't belong to whoever was president at the time.
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