Trump Accepts Controversial $400M Jet Gift

Earlier this month, Donald Trump confirmed he would receive a Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from Qatar’s royal family. The ultra-luxurious aircraft, dubbed a “palace in the sky,” sparked immediate backlash.

Critics from both parties warned the gift could violate the U.S. Constitution and resemble bribery from a foreign government. Despite this, the Trump administration accepted the jet and plans to retrofit it as the new Air Force One.

South Africa’s President Fires Back

On Wednesday (May 21), South African President Cyril Ramaphosa confronted Trump in a tense Oval Office meeting. As Trump pushed conspiracy theories about white farmers being victims of genocide, Ramaphosa responded with sarcasm.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t have a plane to give you,” he quipped.

Trump replied, “I wish you did. I would take it. If your country offered the United States Air Force a plane, I would take it.”

Trump Doubles Down on Disputed Claims

Throughout the meeting, Trump continued promoting disproven claims about race-based violence in South Africa. He accused the media of caring more about his new plane than about “murders” happening abroad.

To emphasize his point, Trump even dimmed the Oval Office lights to play an anti-apartheid song, known for controversial lyrics about killing farmers. He also waved printed articles alleging state-backed violence against white South Africans.

Ramaphosa Sets the Record Straight

Ramaphosa didn’t hold back. He clarified that the song in question, while controversial, isn’t taken literally by reasonable South Africans. A court ruling upheld its legality.

“We are completely opposed to that,” he said. “We are completely, completely against what he was saying.”

Ramaphosa urged Trump to “listen” to actual South African voices.

Business Leader Pushes Back

South African billionaire Johann Rupert also challenged Trump’s narrative. “It’s not only white farmers,” he said. “It’s across the board.”

Meanwhile, farmers at the country’s largest agricultural expo and the South African courts have both dismissed claims of targeted anti-white violence.

Fallout and Further Tensions

Despite the pushback, Trump continued to spread the theory—with help from South African-born Elon Musk. He even granted refugee status to over 50 white South Africans.

Additionally, reports suggest Trump barred U.S. participation in this year’s G20 summit in Johannesburg. Still, Ramaphosa remains hopeful, saying he expects Trump to attend.