Conservative radio host Erick Erickson rips Trump – Business News
Conservative radio character Erick Erickson issued a scathing rebuke of President Donald Trump on Monday over his resolution to settle for a $400 million Boeing 747-8 plane from the Qatari royal household—a transfer that has drawn growing bipartisan scrutiny.
Erickson, a longtime voice in right-wing media, rejected the concept that the reward was technically a bribe or outright corruption however argued that the symbolic and ethical implications of accepting such a reward from Qatar have been deeply troubling.
“This is my problem with taking the plane from Qatar. It’s not that it’s a bribe. It’s not that it’s corrupt,” Erickson mentioned on his program.
Conservative radio character Erick Erickson issued a scathing rebuke of President Donald Trump on Monday. The Erick Erickson Show
Erickson criticized the president over his resolution to simply accept a $400 million Boeing 747-8 plane from the Qatari royal household. The Erick Erickson Show
“My problem with taking this plane from Qatar is I do not think the president of the United States of America should sit and fly on a plane purchased with the same money used to murder American citizens.”
Erickson known as the energy-rich Gulf state “a rogue regime that is not our friend” whereas lamenting the truth that “many people in Washington, DC, treat Qatar the way they treated China 20 years ago, as if it’s some innocent country that’s just involved in things.”
The Qatari authorities has drawn criticism for its financial and diplomatic ties to Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist group by the US and the European Union.
While Qatar has denied straight funding terror operations, it has long offered sanctuary for Hamas’s political management and funneled billions into the Gaza Strip.
The nation additionally maintains pleasant ties with Iran, additional raising considerations amongst critics of the Trump administration’s overseas entanglements.
Erickson additionally took intention at Attorney General Pam Bondi, highlighting her earlier work as a paid lobbyist for the Qatari authorities earlier than becoming a member of Trump’s cupboard.
“Pam Bondi… was a lobbyist for Qatar. She made $119,000 a month,” he mentioned.
“I don’t think that we should agree with Pam Bondi saying, ‘Oh, yes, Qatar can gift this to the Department of Defense on condition it goes to the Trump Presidential Library.’ I think she’s opening Donald Trump up to legal trouble later.”
Qatar, he argued, spends huge sums to “improve its image while paying terrorists to murder American citizens.”
The White House mentioned in a assertion that President Trump’s administration “is committed to full transparency.” Getty Images
“I do not think the president’s Air Force One substitute should be a plane bought with the same money used to kill American citizens,” Erickson mentioned.
Republican lawmakers have additionally voiced considerations. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) criticized the optics of the reward, telling Punchbowl News: “I don’t think it looks good or smells good.”
“Any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws. President Trump’s Administration is committed to full transparency,” Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, mentioned in a assertion.
The Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet has been described as a luxurious airliner price $400 million. YouTube/Spotti Flight
A White House official informed The Post that whereas it’s true that Qatar provided to donate a airplane to the Pentagon, the reward gained’t be “presented nor accepted this week” whereas the president is in Qatar. He is scheduled to go to the nation on Wednesday.
While Qatar’s ties to Hamas have sparked controversy, its position as host of the group’s political management was initially inspired by each the United States and Israel.
The thought was that Qatar might function a impartial middleman, serving to broker ceasefires and facilitating oblique negotiations, particularly during hostage crises or flare-ups in Gaza.
Over the years, Qatar has equipped billions in humanitarian assist to the Gaza Strip — usually with quiet coordination from Israel. Critics argue this assist has not directly propped up Hamas’s authority within the area, at the same time as its acknowledged objective has been to alleviate poverty and restore infrastructure.
At the identical time, Qatar stays one of America’s most important army companions within the area.
The Al Udeid Air Base, situated close to Doha, homes the biggest US army presence within the Middle East and serves as a key operations hub for US Central Command.
