Tim Pierce

For those watching on video, these images are from a similar 747 luxury jet.

For those watching on video, these images are from a similar 747 luxury jet.

Well, Trump says it's merely the Qataris helping us replace Air Force One, which is 40 years old and, according to the president, in need of some serious upgrades. Speaking to reporters before departing for the Middle East yesterday, Trump said the Qataris knew Boeing had delayed production of the new jet he wanted and simply stepped in to help.

Well, Trump says it's merely the Qataris helping us replace Air Force One, which is 40 years old and, according to the president, in need of some serious upgrades. Speaking to reporters before departing for the Middle East yesterday, Trump said the Qataris knew Boeing had delayed production of the new jet he wanted and simply stepped in to help.

Now, not everyone sees this as just a goodwill gesture. Qatar is one of the richest nations in the world and uses its wealth to gain influence in the United States and many, many other countries. It frequently invites politicians on luxurious state-funded junkets to the Middle East.

Now, not everyone sees this as just a goodwill gesture. Qatar is one of the richest nations in the world and uses its wealth to gain influence in the United States and many, many other countries. It frequently invites politicians on luxurious state-funded junkets to the Middle East.

But that influence buying raises eyebrows because Qatar also uses its oil money to bankroll Hamas and the Middle Eastern news powerhouse Al Jazeera.

But that influence buying raises eyebrows because Qatar also uses its oil money to bankroll Hamas and the Middle Eastern news powerhouse Al Jazeera.

Yet lots of MAGA loyalists were quick to condemn the decision, warning that accepting the plane was bad optics at best and a security risk at worst. No less than the very pro-Trump activist Laura Loomer took to X to say accepting the gift would be a stain on the administration. Trump, for his part, is staying on the offensive, calling accusations of a conflict of interest fake news.

Yet lots of MAGA loyalists were quick to condemn the decision, warning that accepting the plane was bad optics at best and a security risk at worst. No less than the very pro-Trump activist Laura Loomer took to X to say accepting the gift would be a stain on the administration. Trump, for his part, is staying on the offensive, calling accusations of a conflict of interest fake news.

But speaking of fake news, there's a chance this whole story may have been much ado about nothing. Cutter's media attache to the United States has been making the rounds since the ABC story broke, telling reporters that the aircraft transfer would only be temporary and that nothing has been finalized yet. So we'll see what happens when Trump gets to Cutter later this week.

But speaking of fake news, there's a chance this whole story may have been much ado about nothing. Cutter's media attache to the United States has been making the rounds since the ABC story broke, telling reporters that the aircraft transfer would only be temporary and that nothing has been finalized yet. So we'll see what happens when Trump gets to Cutter later this week.

Something tells me this story is far from over.

Something tells me this story is far from over.

According to authorities, he was trespassing. He was charged on Friday after he joined a protest at an ICE facility in Newark. Federal authorities say Baraka entered the compound's gates and refused multiple directives to leave. Here's acting New Jersey U.S. Attorney Alina Haba on Fox News.

According to authorities, he was trespassing. He was charged on Friday after he joined a protest at an ICE facility in Newark. Federal authorities say Baraka entered the compound's gates and refused multiple directives to leave. Here's acting New Jersey U.S. Attorney Alina Haba on Fox News.

I should note that Baraka is also a candidate for New Jersey governor, so he has high aspirations. Three Democratic Congress members were there as well. They said they were there to tour the facility in line with their oversight function. One of those members, Robert Menendez Jr. of New Jersey, said this about Baraka's arrest.

I should note that Baraka is also a candidate for New Jersey governor, so he has high aspirations. Three Democratic Congress members were there as well. They said they were there to tour the facility in line with their oversight function. One of those members, Robert Menendez Jr. of New Jersey, said this about Baraka's arrest.

Federal authorities say that more charges could be brought against those members of Congress as well. So what actually took place? What happened at this detention center? Well, there are mixed accounts. Here's Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin on CNN.

Federal authorities say that more charges could be brought against those members of Congress as well. So what actually took place? What happened at this detention center? Well, there are mixed accounts. Here's Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin on CNN.