President Donald Trump showed off the new Air Force One during a campaign rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, where he defended accepting the luxury jet as a gift from the Qatari royal family. He said he had called Qatar’s leader to borrow the aircraft, but the emir offered it instead as a gift. Trump accepted the plane last year despite bipartisan criticism, including from some of his strongest Republican supporters.
Speaking to the crowd, Trump said, “When you’re given gifts, you take ’em, right?” and added, “When they give you a 747 you say two words: ‘thank you.’” The event took place at the local airport, where soaring music played as the jet flew low overhead. Trump emerged wearing his signature red baseball cap, waved, gave a fist bump, and descended the stairs as Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” played in the background.
The newly painted Air Force One, now in Trump’s red, white, blue, and gold scheme, was visible against the Black Mountains as he spoke. Trump also discussed his ongoing projects in Washington, including the White House ballroom under construction, a completed South Lawn helipad, and a planned triumphal arch. He criticized the media, saying, “The fake news media doesn’t talk about how well we’re doing” as a country, and claimed journalists focus instead on “affordability,” which he pronounced dismissively.
Trump used the Arizona rally to support Republican candidates, including Rep. Andy Biggs, who is running against Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. He noted that Republican candidates Jay Feely and Rep. Juan Ciscomani did not attend the event. After Arizona, Trump headed to Western Montana’s 1st District to boost Aaron Flint, a former aide to retiring Rep. Ryan Zinke, as part of a broader midterm campaign swing that included stops in Alaska and Ohio.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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