President Trump defended his decision to accept a luxury Boeing jet from Qatar, calling it “stupid” for him to turn it down amid an influx of criticism from both sides of the aisle over the gift.

“I could be a stupid person and say, ‘Oh no, we don’t want a free plane.’ We give free things out, we’ll take one too. And, it helps us out because … we have 40-year-old aircraft,” he said Monday morning, referring to Air Force One. “So, I think it’s a great gesture from Qatar, I appreciate it very much. I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer. I could be a stupid person and say, ‘No we don’t want a free, very expensive airplane,’ but I thought it was a great gesture.”

The Boeing 747-8 airplane from the government of Qatar would replace Air Force One and would be kept by Trump’s eventual presidential library after the end of his term. Boeing has had a contract with the U.S. government to build a new Air Force One, but it has been delayed.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) acknowledged the delay but did not give his full backing to the offer.

“I understand his frustration. They’re way behind schedule on delivering the next Air Force One,” Thune told The Hill later in the day. “Whether or not this is the right solution ... I don’t know.”

© The Hill