White House Attacks Report Trump Dropped $400 Million Qatari Jet Over Security Fears
Updated
Updated · AlterNet · Jul 10
White House Attacks Report Trump Dropped $400 Million Qatari Jet Over Security Fears
3 articles · Updated · AlterNet · Jul 10
Summary
Steven Cheung called Carol Leonnig a “liar” and her report “Fake News” after she said Trump switched from a $400 million Qatari jet back to the old Air Force One.
Leonnig reported the gifted plane lacked key protections for travel during Iran-related tensions, including mid-air refueling and missile-defense capabilities, citing a law enforcement official briefed on the aircraft.
Cheung’s X post did not directly rebut those security claims; the White House’s similar comment to other outlets only said the aircraft had high-level security protocols.
The clash widened online as journalists and critics argued Cheung attacked the reporter rather than the facts, while others cited Secret Service advice against using the Qatari jet.