Trump says it would be "stupid" not to accept free jet from Qatar

President Trump on Monday dismissed criticism of his plan to accept a $400 million jet from Qatar to serve as Air Force One, calling it "stupid" to turn down the gift.Why it matters: Democrats decried the reported gift from the Qatari royal family of a luxury Boeing 747-8 — dubbed a "palace in the sky," but Trump shrugged off the blowback.The news came ahead of Trump's Gulf trip scheduled this week.What he's saying: "I think it's a great gesture from Qatar. I appreciate it very much," Trump told reporters Monday. "I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer."He continued, "I mean, I could be a stupid person, say, 'No, we don't want a free, very expensive airplane,'" adding, "I thought it was a great gesture."Zoom in: Pressed on ethical concerns around accepting the gift, the president rebuked an ABC reporter, saying, "You should be embarrassed asking that question." "They're giving us a free jet. I could say, 'No, no, no, don't give us. I want to pay you a billion or $400 million, or whatever it is.' Or I could say, 'Thank you very much,'" Trump said.He noted the gift is not being made to him personally but rather to the Department of Defense.More from Axios: Backstory: How Trump got a free "palace in the sky"Scoop: Dem seeks probe into reports Qatar plans to gift plane to TrumpWhat to know about Trump's history with Qatar, which wants to gift him a plane

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