McCarthy suspects Trump wants to strongarm Boeing by accepting Qatari jet

Published May 14, 2025 11:50am ET



Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy suggested President Donald Trump has a deeper motive in receiving a luxury jet from Qatar. He is trying to get Boeing to expedite an aircraft to replace Air Force One.

Trump has pushed back against criticism over his openness to accepting a Qatari jet, suggesting that it was “a very nice gesture” and that only “a stupid person” would say no to such an offer. The former House speaker pointed to how the current Air Force One jet used by the president is “very old,” and that the new Boeing planes that Congress ordered in Trump’s first administration are behind schedule in completion. 

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