As U.S. President Donald Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with explosive and false claims of white genocide during a tense White House meeting on Wednesday, President Ramaphosa took a witty jab at Trump, remarking that he did not have an aircraft to offer as a tribute to the American leader.
“I’m sorry I don’t have a plane to give you,” Ramaphosa said in the Oval Office as Trump hosted him for a bilateral meeting and lunch.
Trump, seemingly amused at first, shot back, “I wish you did. I’d take it,” said Trump. “If your country offered the United States Air Force a plane, I would take it.”
@trtworld “I’m sorry I don’t have a plane to give you.” “I wish you did. I would take it.” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa jokingly apologised for not gifting the US a jet, after US President Donald Trump got irritated when a reporter asked about a Qatari jet linked to Air Force One.
The light-hearted remark followed Qatar’s gift of a luxury Boeing 747 jetliner to former President Trump for use as Air Force One. The Pentagon officially confirmed its acceptance of the aircraft while Trump was hosting President Ramaphosa.
The estimated $400 million value of the jet has sparked bipartisan concerns, with lawmakers from both Republican and Democratic parties raising questions about the ethical and legal implications of such a gift.
When asked about the plane by a reporter, Trump called the journalist an “idiot.”
“You are a real, you know, you’re a terrible reporter. Number one, you don’t have what it takes to be reporter, not smart enough,” Trump said.
