Donald Trump has portrayed Qatar gifting him with a $400 million plane as an ally’s spontaneous act of kindness. The president has repeatedly described it as a “great gesture from Qatar,” and his defenders have taken to comparing it to France giving the United States the Statue of Liberty.

For example, this week Treasury secretary Scott Bessent dismissed Jake Tapper’s suggestion that Qatar might want something in return. “Nobody … just gives a $400 million jet just to be nice,” said the CNN anchor.

“Well, I don’t know, Jake,” Bessent said. “The French gave us the Statue of Liberty. The British gave us the Resolute Desk. I’m not sure they asked for anything in advance.”

TAPPER: Even if Qatar isn't asking for anything in return now for the jet, that's a bill that could come do. Nobody in the world just gives a $400m jet to be nice.

BESSENT: Well, I don't know Jake. The French gave us the Statue of Liberty. pic.twitter.com/Cx5pdHLTj9

This was already a ridiculous comparison for multiple reasons (the Statue of Liberty is a public monument presented to the American people, while plane would only be used by Trump). And now, new reporting reveals that the Trump administration initially approached Qatar about buying the plane, contradicting the narrative that Qatar just wanted to treat their pal to a luxury Boeing 747 because he’s a great guy.

Since returning to the White House, Trump........

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