JOHN CURLEY

‘It’s the dumbest thing’: Curley slams Trump over Qatar jet gift

May 13, 2025, 5:09 AM

President Donald Trump answers a reporter's question during an event in the Roosevelt Room at the W...

President Donald Trump answers a reporter's question during an event in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, Monday, May 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

(AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President Donald Trump is in the process of accepting a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet from the Qatari government for temporary use as Air Force One.

The ruling party of Qatar offered the $400 million gift, dubbed “a flying palace” because of its opulent interior, to the Trump administration. On Truth Social, Trump acknowledged the gift, calling it a “very public and transparent transaction” with the Defense Department. Attorney General Pam Bondi and top White House lawyer David Warrington reportedly concluded this was “legally permissible.”

But not everyone is a fan of the move. KIRO Newsradio host John Curley criticized the potential conflicts of interest.

John Curley criticizes Donald Trump over jet deal

“It’s the dumbest thing Trump has done recently,” Curley said. “I don’t get this.”

Curley says Trump shouldn’t have even considered the offer, citing Qatar’s ties to terrorism and the potential for hidden strings attached to the gift.

“There’s no such thing as a free plane from Qatar,” Curley said. “Qatar is a terrorist state. They’re big on Sharia law, and they love where they get their money from. And they’re going to give you a $400 million jet, and you think there are no strings attached?”

Listen to the full conversation below: 

Listen to John Curley weekday afternoons from 3 – 7 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

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