Bessent defends Trump’s Qatari luxury jet gift: ‘French gave us the Statue of Liberty’

[Michie]

Treasury Department Secretary Scott Bessent defended the Trump administration’s decision to accept a $400 million luxury jet from the Qatari government, comparing it to the French gift of the Statue of Liberty in 1886 in a CNN interview Sunday morning.

“The French gave us the Statue of Liberty; the British gave us the Resolute Desk,” Bessent told CNN’s Jake Tapper. “I’m not sure they asked for anything in advance.”

Bessent pivoted to what he called the “more important airplane deal” that came of President Trump’s trip to the Middle East this week — the announcement that Qatar Airways will purchase 160 jets from Boeing.

Continued below.

https://thehill.com/homenews/5306272-bessent-defends-trump-jet-gift/

 

[RileyG]

Is it ever wrong to accept gifts?

 

[Michie]

Is it ever wrong to accept gifts?

No. But I don’t feel comfortable with a jet from Qutar… call me crazy. I have trust issues. It’s a bit different than a piece of furniture or a statue imo.

 

[RileyG]

No. But I don’t feel comfortable with a jet from Qutar… call me crazy. I have trust issues. It’s a bit different than a piece of furniture or a statue imo.

Absolutely!

 

[PloverWing]

Is it ever wrong to accept gifts?

I'm a state employee, and our state (which has had troubles with corruption in the past) has strict rules about what gifts we can receive in our role as a state employee. Most gifts we have to refuse. The idea is to make sure we aren't favoring one company over another just because that company gave us a gift.

Federal laws are probably different. I'll leave it to the lawyers to determine whether this gift is allowed under federal law.

 

[Yarddog]

Treasury Department Secretary Scott Bessent defended the Trump administration’s decision to accept a $400 million luxury jet from the Qatari government, comparing it to the French gift of the Statue of Liberty in 1886 in a CNN interview Sunday morning.

“The French gave us the Statue of Liberty; the British gave us the Resolute Desk,” Bessent told CNN’s Jake Tapper. “I’m not sure they asked for anything in advance.”

Bessent pivoted to what he called the “more important airplane deal” that came of President Trump’s trip to the Middle East this week — the announcement that Qatar Airways will purchase 160 jets from Boeing.

Continued below.

https://thehill.com/homenews/5306272-bessent-defends-trump-jet-gift/

They didn't give the Statue of Liberty to President. It was a gift to the people. The jet may never be used as Air Force One. By the time it is repaired and ready for use, Trump's term may be over. Then, it is supposed to go to him.

 

[Michie]

They didn't give the Statue of Liberty to President. It was a gift to the people. The jet may never be used as Air Force One. By the time it is repaired and ready for use, Trump's term may be over. Then, it is supposed to go to him.

I thought it was supposed to go his his library.

 

[RileyG]

I'm a state employee, and our state (which has had troubles with corruption in the past) has strict rules about what gifts we can receive in our role as a state employee. Most gifts we have to refuse. The idea is to make sure we aren't favoring one company over another just because that company gave us a gift.

Federal laws are probably different. I'll leave it to the lawyers to determine whether this gift is allowed under federal law.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[Richard T]

Thanks for your reply.

Let's compare. The statute of liberty was said to cost around 250,000 dollars in 1880. An 1880 dollar is said to now be worth about 31.35. So 250,000 X 31.35 = 7.83 million dollars in today's dollars. Trump accepts a 400 million gift that is not even close. Plus, he personally has conflicts of interest. Not only does he do business that affects him personally in Qatar, but he desires to use the plane and give it to his library. So, by reason of these personal conflicts and the sheer dollar amount, the gift is way above what any America has legally or illegally accepted in the history of the USA.

 

[Yarddog]

I thought it was supposed to go his his library.

Will he use a refurbished 747 in his library or slap some paint on it and call it Trump Force One.