A bilateral meeting between U.S. President Donald J. Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa descended into chaos today when President Trump abruptly lashed out at a reporter during a press availability in the Oval Office.
The confrontation occurred when a reporter asked about the Pentagon’s announcement that it had formally accepted a Boeing 747-8 jet gifted by Qatar’s royal family, which is expected to be upgraded for use as the next Air Force One.
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Before the question could be completed, President Trump exploded:
“You ought to get out of here… It’s NBC trying to get off the subject. You are a terrible reporter. You ought to go back to your studio. No more questions from you. Quiet! Quiet!”
Trump then launched into an unscripted commentary, diverging sharply from the meeting’s diplomatic focus:
“These articles over the last few days — death of people, death, death, horrible death. I don't know. White South Africans are fleeing because of the violence. These are all farmers being buried — and he asks about a jet? You ought to be ashamed. You are such a bad reporter.”
President Ramaphosa, seated beside Trump, did not respond to the comments but appeared visibly uncomfortable as the tone of the meeting shifted dramatically.
Earlier today, the Pentagon confirmed it had officially accepted the Qatari Boeing 747-8. The aircraft, previously unused by the Gulf state, is set to undergo immediate retrofitting to serve as the new Air Force One.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell released a statement:
“The Department of Defense will work to ensure proper security measures and mission-specific modifications are implemented to meet the requirements for transporting the President of the United States.”
The Qatari jet’s acceptance comes amid growing scrutiny over defense budgets and presidential travel spending. Critics have questioned the optics of accepting a foreign gift for such a symbolic and strategic asset, while Trump allies praised the move as “cost-effective and decisive.”
Today’s confrontation marks yet another moment of volatility in President Trump’s second term, and casts a shadow over what was intended to be a routine diplomatic engagement focused on trade and security cooperation between the U.S. and South Africa.
More updates as the story develops.
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