President Donald Trump erupted at an NBC reporter Wednesday for daring to ask about a controversial Qatari jet being handed over to the U.S. military.
During a tense White House press event with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, NBC’s Peter Alexander asked Trump about the Pentagon accepting a jumbo jet from Qatar to use as Air Force One.
“The Pentagon announced that it would be accepting a Qatari jet to be used as Air Force One,” Alexander asked.
Trump fired back instantly. “What are you talking about? You know, you ought to get out of here,” he snapped.
The timing of the question seemed to anger Trump even more. Just moments earlier, he had ordered the lights dimmed so reporters could watch a video about what his administration called “unjust racial discrimination” against white South Africans. Trump has pushed to open the door for white Afrikaner farmers to come to the U.S., a move critics have slammed as racially charged.
“What does this have to do with the Qatari jet?” Trump said, visibly angry. “It’s NBC trying to get off the subject of what you just saw.”
“You are a real… you know, you’re a terrible reporter. Number one, you don’t have what it takes to be a reporter. You’re not smart enough,” Trump continued. “But for you to go into a subject about a jet that was given to the United States Air Force, which is a very nice thing…”
“They also gave $5.1 trillion worth of investment in addition to the jet. Go back, you ought to go back to your studio at NBC because, Brian Roberts and the people that run that place, they ought to be investigated. They are so terrible the way you run that network. And you are a disgrace. No more questions from you,” he said.
He then waved Alexander off entirely.
“His name is Peter something. He’s a terrible reporter,” Trump said, before moving on to other journalists.
Trump’s fury didn’t come out of nowhere. Both Democrats and Republicans have questioned the legality and wisdom of accepting a $400 million foreign plane—especially from Qatar, a nation with ties to various global interests and one that raises red flags with intelligence officials.
Critics point to the U.S. Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which bans any government official from accepting gifts from foreign states without Congress’s approval.
Trump has defended the move, claiming the jet is going to the Department of Defense, not him personally, and would only be used temporarily while Boeing finishes the long-delayed new Air Force One.
“We’re very disappointed that it’s taking Boeing so long to build a new Air Force One,” Trump said at a separate press conference earlier this week. “You know, we have an Air Force One that’s 40 years old… it’s not even the same ballgame.”
Even some of Trump’s allies are privately uneasy, saying the optics—and the legal questions—could backfire badly.
Watch the clip below:
Trump when asked about the jet Qatar is gifting him: "You are a terrible reporter. Number one, you don't have what it takes to be a reporter — you're not smart enough…The people that run [NBC] ought to be investigated. They are so terrible…And you're a disgrace." pic.twitter.com/0MP8KdDJbh
— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) May 21, 2025
