Sponsored

Comedy Central Host Loses His Mind Over Qatar’s ‘Flying Palace’ Gift

By No Comments
Jon Stewart
Photo Credit: "180428-D-SW162-1527" by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.

“The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart lost his mind over recent moves by President Donald Trump—chief among them, the acceptance of a luxurious $400 million jet from Qatar’s royal family.

“It was only Friday, that long-ago yesteryear when the Knicks were still up 2-0,” Stewart groaned, before declaring that in just a few days, the U.S. had seen “the largest bribe ever given to an American president,” a trade war reversal, and what he called “the socializing of our pharmaceutical industry.”

“Four months ago, we were a standard-issue democratic constitutional republic,” he lamented during his monologue. “Now we’re some kind of anarcho, klepto, socialist, communist, Silk Road reality show.”

The custom Boeing 747-8 described as a “palace in the sky,” will reportedly serve as Trump’s Air Force One while in office and then transition to his presidential library afterward. Stewart was not impressed.

“Qatar is giving us a plane that Trump gets to keep,” he said. “He’s like the reverse Oprah. ‘I get a jet — and that’s it.’ Why does his library need a jet?”

Mocking the aircraft’s nine bathrooms and full-service showers, Stewart sarcastically dubbed it a “flying f— palace,” adding, “I’m not gonna tell Trump how to run his business, but I would steam the s— out of those carpets.”

In the segment, Stewart conceded the plane wasn’t coming from an “enemy” country, saying at least it’s not “suspect like Canada or working to undermine us like all of our other democratic allies in Europe.”

Still, he pushed back on Trump’s characterization of the aircraft as free: “It’s not a free jet. That’s the point.”

Using a metaphor about sandwiches, Stewart noted, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch,” and argued that “$400 million buys a lot of sandwiches.”

The comedian’s complaints about the Trump administration didn’t stop at the plane. He claimed Trump’s leadership had left him unable to sleep, eat, or think clearly.

“Honestly, so much comes at us every day with him,” he said. “And he knows — he knows he’s toying with us.”

He also mocked Trump’s tease of a “big announcement,” asking, “Should we wear our good pants or the ones we piss in?”

The announcement, as it turned out, was an executive order requesting that pharmaceutical companies reduce prescription drug prices.

While Stewart delivered jokes and panic from a New York soundstage, Trump defended the jet and his decision to accept it during an interview with Sean Hannity aboard Air Force One.

“The plane that you are on right now is almost 40 years old,” Trump told the Fox News star, referring to the aging Air Force One currently in use.

He noted that other countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar were flying “brand new 747s,” while America’s presidential aircraft lagged behind in both size and luxury.

“You see ours next to it. This is like a totally different plane,” Trump explained.

“It’s much smaller and less impressive, as impressive as it is. We are the United States of America. I believe we should have the most impressive plane.”

He also vented frustration over delays from Boeing, despite having already signed off on a contract for a newer model.

“It’s pretty much the same plane with a new paint color if you want to know the truth,” Trump said.

“We are painting it red, white, and blue like the American flag, which is incredible. Much more beautiful and much more representative of us.”

Trump highlighted the Qatari jet’s superior design and quiet efficiency, lauding its luxurious interior crafted by the famed French firm Alberto Pinto Cabinet.

Still, he made clear his patience with Boeing was wearing thin: “I’m not happy with Boeing. I don’t want to hurt Boeing but they are very late with the plane.”

According to the president, the gift was not solicited but offered in response to his complaints about the situation.

“I expressed my dissatisfaction to Qatar’s leadership, and they wanted to help,” Trump said. “Some people say you shouldn’t accept gifts. My attitude is why wouldn’t I accept a gift? We are giving to everybody else, why wouldn’t I accept a gift?”

He dismissed critics in the defense establishment, stating, “There are those that say we shouldn’t be accepting gifts in the Defense Department and I would say only a stupid person would say that.”

Trump argued that after spending trillions defending foreign nations, including Qatar, and it was only fair that the U.S. receive something in return.

“We give a lot of gifts, too many gifts to be honest with you,” Trump said. “We give gifts to defend countries that wouldn’t even exist.”

On Wednesday, Trump arrived in Doha on day two of his Middle East trip focused on solidifying relations with Arab allies.

His warm reception by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani included fighter jet escorts, Cybertruck-led motorcades, and red carpet pageantry complete with horses and sword-bearing guards.

The president appeared visibly impressed by Qatar’s display of hospitality.

“The job you’ve done is second to none,” Trump told the Emir while admiring the white marble of the Amiri Diwan.

“You look at this, it’s so beautiful. As a construction person, I’m seeing perfect marble. This is what they call perfecto.”

Even the welcoming caravan didn’t go unnoticed. “We appreciate those camels. I haven’t seen camels like that in a long time. And it was some greeting, we appreciate it very much.”

The trip also produced tangible outcomes, most notably a $200 billion deal between Boeing and Qatar for 160 jets.

“It’s the largest order of jets in the history of Boeing, that’s pretty good,” Trump remarked.

Leave A Reply