Trump Accepted The $400 Million Plane Bribe!

Summary

Bulwark Takes: Trump Accepted The $400 Million Plane Bribe! Release Date: May 21, 2025

In this compelling episode of Bulwark Takes, hosts Sam Stein and Andrew Egger delve into the explosive revelation that former President Donald Trump has accepted a $400 million plane as a bribe from Qatar. This detailed analysis unpacks the multifaceted implications of the Pentagon's decision to accept the Qatari gift, Trump's controversial reaction, and the broader political and legal ramifications.

1. Introduction to the Scandal [01:41]

Sam Stein opens the discussion by summarizing the recent developments regarding the Pentagon's acceptance of a $400 million jet from Qatar. He highlights Trump's intense reaction during a press interaction, where he exhibited an "absolute meltdown" when questioned about the jet by NBC News' Peter Alexander. Stein remarks, “An epic meltdown by even Trump's parents” ([02:27]).

2. Constitutional and Legal Implications [02:27]

Andrew Egger addresses the constitutional controversy surrounding the acceptance of foreign gifts. He emphasizes that "the Constitution obviously forbids this sort of thing" ([02:27]) and critiques the initial deal as "totally corrupt." Egger questions the effectiveness of the judiciary and Congress in preventing such actions, noting the current Republican majorities' inability to intervene. He states, “there are a million different ways in which it is so insane and so psychotic and just so, so grisly and silly and wrong” ([02:27]).

3. Potential Legal Actions and Congressional Response [04:56]

Stein discusses the likelihood of legal challenges, referencing conversations with Senator Brian Schatz and Senator Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut, who are considering suing the administration over the plane acceptance. Stein notes, “I wouldn't be totally shocked if a lawsuit was filed. I don't think it's going to go anywhere because they tried this in the first run and it didn't work” ([04:56]). Egger concurs, stating that previous attempts were thwarted due to lack of standing among individual members of Congress.

4. Political Repercussions for Trump [05:25]

The conversation shifts to the political fallout for Trump. Stein suggests that Democrats view this scandal as a significant opportunity, emphasizing that Trump's acceptance of the plane indicates a lack of concern for a potential third term. He asserts, “Trump knows he's not running for a third term” and criticizes his actions as inconsistent with his political ambitions ([05:25]).

5. Financial Analysis of the Jet Retrofitting [06:00]

Egger and Stein examine the financial burden of retrofitting the jet for presidential use. Egger references a newsletter by Joe that mentions "mind boggling" costs ([06:00]). He explains that the modifications necessary for the plane to serve as Air Force One will incur substantial expenses, and questions the long-term viability of the jet serving its intended purpose. Stein adds, “Estimates of how much it's going to cost...someone's done an estimate?” ([06:00]).

6. Future of the Qatari Jet [06:27]

The hosts speculate on Trump's long-term plans for the jet. Stein believes Trump will utilize the plane extensively before eventually placing it in his library, mocking the notion by saying, “If you really cared about a third term, you probably wouldn't do. And this is one of those things” ([06:27]). Egger remains skeptical, pondering whether Trump will indeed store it at his library or continue to use it indefinitely ([07:05]).

7. Trump's Public Meltdown [07:45]

To illustrate Trump's volatile reaction, Stein plays a clip of Trump responding to Peter Alexander's questioning about the Qatari jet:

Donald Trump: “What are you talking about?... They are so terrible the way you run that network and you're a disgrace. No more questions from you.”

This excerpt highlights Trump's aggressive dismissal of the reporter and the underlying tension surrounding the jet deal ([07:45]).

8. Psychological Profile of Trump [09:33]

Egger provides a psychological analysis of Trump's behavior, suggesting that his reactions stem from a defensive reflex against criticism. He observes, “Trump... does this on a lot of stuff. I mean, like back in his hundred day interviews you would see this kind of thing...” ([09:33]). Egger argues that Trump's surrounding environment reinforces his defensive mechanisms, making him more resistant to legitimate criticism and introspection.

9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts [11:26]

As the episode wraps up, Stein draws parallels between Trump's behavior and personal anecdotes, reinforcing the notion of Trump's deep-seated defensiveness and inability to handle accountability. He concludes with a call to action for listeners to subscribe and stay informed about ongoing developments ([11:26]).

Key Takeaways

• Constitutional Violation: Trump's acceptance of a $400 million plane from Qatar directly contravenes constitutional provisions against accepting foreign gifts.

• Legal Challenges: Potential lawsuits face significant hurdles, primarily due to standing issues within Congress.

• Political Strategy: The scandal presents a critical point for Democratic efforts to challenge Trump's remnants of political influence.

• Financial Implications: The retrofitting of the jet for presidential use will incur exorbitant costs, questioning the feasibility and intention behind the gift.

• Psychological Insight: Trump's reaction to criticism reflects a broader pattern of deflection and aggression, undermining constructive discourse.

This episode of Bulwark Takes provides an in-depth and critical examination of one of the most controversial political scandals in recent history, offering listeners a thorough understanding of its complexities and potential consequences.

Transcript

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[Sam Stein]

Hey guys. Me Sam Sty, managing editor at the Bulwark, and the guy who interrupts everyone who appears with him on the Bulwark, joined with Andrew Egger, author of Morning Shots, to discuss the formal, I guess, end of the deal for the Qatari airline gift. The Pentagon has announced that it is accepting the gift from Qatar, and President Trump, who is appearing with the president of South Africa to talk about allegations of white genocide in the country, had an absolute meltdown when Peter Alexander of NBC News asked him about the jet. An epic meltdown by even Trump's parents. Anyways, subscribe to the feed. We're going to get into it very quickly. Andrew, what'd you make of the fact that they weren't shamed into not accepting the gift?

[Andrew Egger]

Well, this was always going to be the thing of it, right? Is yes, the Constitution obviously baldly forbids this sort of thing from happening. Yes. You know, the deal as initially laid out was totally, baldly corrupt. But when it comes right down to it, you know, If Qataris wheel $400 million plane up to you and they're like, here it is, and you get in it and you go home, the question then becomes like, okay, who's actually going to stop you from doing that? Right? And is it, Are the courts going to stop you? And who has standing to sue over it? Is Congress going to stand up and do something about it, you know, with these feckless Republican majorities? And it kind of seems like the answer to those questions has been no. And so, and so, yes, it looks like we're going to move forward with this thing and there are a million different things we can talk about, all the different ways in which it is so insane and so psychotic and just so, so grisly and silly and wrong. But, but it looks like, it looks like we're going forward with it. We're going to spend a ton of money retrofitting this thing so Donald Trump can make it his Air Force One for an hour or two. And then, and then, who knows? So, so, yeah, let's, let's, let's do it.

[Sam Stein]

I didn't interrupt once. Even though you used a multitude of adjectives, including the word baldly twice. I just, I sat back and say anything. I just wanted that to be.

[Andrew Egger]

Let's go back to the interruptions. I prefer the interruptions to the like, like the quick critique at the end. Come on, man. You, you, we. Let's do a video.

[Sam Stein]

All right. In terms of the plane. Yeah. I didn't think anyone was ever going to shame the guy into, into not taking it. But I think a few tidbits are worth talking about here. One, it's not entirely clear now that it was a gift. CNN's reporting that we approached Qataris about it. Tom Malinowski, talking to, uh, Bill Crystal, uh, the other day, said he thought it was a shakedown, actually, that the Trump White House said we want the plane in exchange will give you, you know, some sort of, you know, security guarantees or, you know, tighter relationships, trade, whatever. So I, I want to just be clear. I mean, I'm going to call it a gift because that's the, the kind of how it's known at this point. But I'm not totally sure it was a gift. Two is, I'm not entirely sure that, well, it's obviously going to happen, but when I talked to Brian Schatz, senator from Hawaii, he said that Richard Blumenthal, his colleague, center from Connecticut, was exploring the Possibility, the anomalous clause to sue the administration. And so I wouldn't be totally shocked if a lawsuit was filed. I don't think it's going to go anywhere because they tried this in the first go run and it didn't work. Yeah, yeah.

[Andrew Egger]

And they should absolutely explore that. Right. I mean, they'd be kind of derelict not to. But yes, but yes. In the first administration, that was the exact problem that they ran into because when Trump would get these gifts and these kickbacks from different foreign leaders at his companies or whatever, members of Congress tried to sue and ultimately where the courts came down on that, it didn't go all the way up to the Supreme Court. But, but where was, they didn't have standing. Individual members of Congress didn't have standing. The whole body, in theory, could, could bring some kind of legal action, but that hasn't been tested.

[Sam Stein]

Okay, well, I doubt the whole body will in this case. But, you know, I guess the one element of surprise, it's not really a surprise, but like, evident to me is that this has been a political problem for Trump in ways that some stories are, but not every story, but like this one, you know, our colleague Lauren Egan was writing about it like, Democrats think this is really breaking through. And the fact that he went and accepted it shows he doesn't, just doesn't give. Fuck. At this point, I continue to be increasingly convinced that Trump knows he's not running for a third term. I mean, he's joking about it constantly, but like he's doing stuff that, like, if you really cared about a third term, you probably wouldn't do. And this is one of those things.

[Andrew Egger]

Yeah, yeah. Especially with the, and I, I don't know what the, the, what the very latest bleeding edge state of the reporting on this is, but the, the idea that it would be eventually transferred to his presidential library. I mean, like that, that's the thing, first of all, that makes it so openly corrupt. All makes it such a, it makes it so compatible with what you're laying out right now that this is a pure cash in. I mean, just, just even the idea of retrofitting it for service as Air Force One.

[Sam Stein]

Right.

[Andrew Egger]

I mean, that's going to cost so long now.

[Sam Stein]

Estimates of how much it's going to cost. I don't know. Has someone's done an estimate?

[Andrew Egger]

Yeah, Joe, Joe had it in his newsletter the other day. It was some mind boggling number. I don't remember exactly, you know, many, many zeros. But, but the point is like, it's not like this thing is going to be in service as Air Force One, even during Trump's term, for very long. So if he's if going to try to then, you know, re decommission it, which will cost a bunch more money, by the way, because they have to strip out all the stuff that they put in there. The, the whole, the whole rigamarole, all this nonsense is for him to be able to fly around in it for a little while, a couple months, a year, who knows, and then park it at his library where it's like a new big fancy.

[Sam Stein]

Do you really think he's gonna park it at the library or do you think.

[Andrew Egger]

Well, I mean, I don't know. Maybe not physically. I don't know. What do you think? What do you think he's got.

[Sam Stein]

I think he's going to use it. I think he's going to take it and he's going to use it. And eventually he'll be at his library. But that's probably when he passes. He'll go to his library, but he's going to use it and he'll say something like, you know, we spent so much money retrofitting this thing, like it would be a shame to waste all that money and just put it as an ornament in my library.

[Andrew Egger]

Right, right.

[Sam Stein]

I got to use this thing. Come on, don't be a sucker. Anyways, to underscore the sensitivity of the matter, let's play the clip of Trump responding to Peter Alexander and we'll do reactions on the flip side.

[Andrew Egger]

Okay, Mr. Investor, the Pentagon announced it.

[Sam Stein]

Would be accepting a Qatari jet to.

[Andrew Egger]

Be used as Air Force One.

[Donald Trump]

What are you talking about? We know we need to respond. You know, you ought to get out of here. What does this have to do with the Qatari jet? They're giving the United States Air Force a jet. Okay. And it's a great thing. We're talking about a lot of other things. It's NBC trying to get off the subject of what you just saw. You are a real, you know, you're a terrible reporter, number one. You don't have what it takes to be a reporter. You're not smart enough. But for you to go into a subject about a jet that was given to the United States Air Force, which is a very nice thing. They also gave $5.1 trillion worth of investment in addition to the jet. Go back. You ought to go back to your studio at NBC because Brian Roberts and the people that run that place, they ought to be investigated. They are so terrible the way you Run that network and you're a disgrace. No more questions from you. Go ahead, talk about that. His name is Peter Suffolk. He's a terrible reporter.

[Sam Stein]

All right, so there you have it. Now in Trump's defense, he was on like a 20 minute tangent about how white genocide was being committed in South Africa. He just played a situation sizzle reel of totally out of context news clips and you know, viral videos of minor political parties talking about white genocide. And the South African president was just sort of sitting there being like, I don't know what I'm watching. And then right as they went out of the clip, Peter Alexander's like, Mr. President, what do you think of this Qatari jet situation? So he lost it. But then also that's like, that kind of behavior is just so abnormal and, or should be, at least not for Trump.

[Andrew Egger]

So that, that is, I was gonna bring up the one thing that cuts a little bit against maybe the theory that you laid out before that he just kind of is totally in on the take and it's a cash in and it's naked and whatever counter take. Well, well, I just think that there is this also this element in Trump, like psychologically where, where stuff that he doesn't want to see, he just doesn't see. You know, it's not like, it's not like this like conscious decision to like to insulate himself from the, from this criticism. He just, he just, it bounces off of him and he short circuits to ah, you know, the fucking fake news people are so sick. And he does this on a lot of stuff. I mean, like back in his hundred day interviews you would see this kind of thing where it's like the second, the second he is asked to kind of contemplate a concept that is, that is difficult or, or, or like you know, unhappy for him to have to contemplate or to answer real questions. It's just a, it's just like a defensive reflex to, to, to bloviate and push back against it. And he is so surrounded by people now who, who just flatter all of that stuff. Like the whole world is shaped to fit his psyche now that he just barely ever has to contemplate these things except in these interactions with the fake news media that he brings into the office. And it's very easy for him just to be like, ah, you know, these, these jerks in the media, nobody likes them. You're, you have no viewership. It's all fake. Like, like there's no one in the whole world who has this complaint except this asshole in my office who's giving it to me right now and so and so. And I think that is part of it. Like I don't think he's necessarily making like a calculation. I can afford to do this even though it's politically bad for me because it's just a cash out later and I never need to run again. I'm not 100% sure it's as calculating as that. Just for the reasons I said.

[Sam Stein]

I will just say his behavior, his petulance is eerily, eerily similar to how you treat minor edits that I offer in the morning track school doc. It's uncanny.

[Andrew Egger]

Yeah, but I'm trying to get better. He's only getting worse.

[Sam Stein]

Are you.

[Andrew Egger]

All right?

[Sam Stein]

Andrew Egger, thanks so much for doing this. Appreciate it. Thank you guys for watching this. Appreciate it. If you have a Qatari jet to gift me, I will accept it and put it in my library at a given point in time. But until then, just subscribe to the feed. That's all we ask.

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