Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday defended President Trump’s possible move to accept a Qatari-offered jet for the president’s use, saying “the problem is really with Boeing.””Boeing had a responsibility to provide a new Air Force One now. They didn’t do the job,” McCarthy said on “CBS Mornings Plus.”Mr. Trump arrived Wednesday in Qatar following a visit to Saudi Arabia, as the president makes his first international trip of his second term this week. Meanwhile, the unprecedented offer by the royal family of Qatar to donate a jumbo jet for Mr. Trump’s exclusive use as a presidential plane has loomed over the trip, as Democrats — and some Republicans — have called the ethics and national security implications of the potential gift into question.

But the Republican, who was ousted as speaker by his own members in 2023 and left Congress later that year, said he thinks of the issue differently, saying “here’s a problem, and you need to solve it.””If you understand President Trump, he’s always a business man, he’s looking for a deal, and he doesn’t want the taxpayers to pay for something,” McCarthy said. McCarthy argued that “we need a new Air Force One,” noting that the two plans that currently serve in that role were manufactured around 40 years ago. Boeing had taken “too long,” he said, to fulfill the contract it has with Congress to build replacement aircraft. The former speaker said Boeing should lease another plane to the president, even if it’s the Qatari jet, which he argued would “take away all implication that somebody says we’re getting some gift, because Boeing is responsible, because they’re too delayed.””They should lease the plane, fix it, and provide an Air Force One, new one, for the president,” McCarthy said of Boeing.

The comments come as McCarthy’s relationship with Mr. Trump have taken twists and turns. After the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol, McCarthy accused the president of “inciting people” to carry out the attack. But McCarthy later sought to mend fences with the president, while largely avoiding criticizing him since.Earlier this week, Mr. Trump defended the gift, while citing a delay on the Boeing planes.

“When I came back, I said, by the way, what’s going on with the Boeings that are coming? ‘Well sir, they’re way behind,'” the president said of his return to office. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that the Qatari government had “graciously offered to donate a plane to the Department of Defense,” while noting that the details were still being worked out. Still, some Republicans in Congress have expressed concern about the offer. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, told reporters Tuesday that he thinks there are “lots of issues associated with that offer,” which he said should be further discussed.Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri said he understood the need for a new Air Force One, but he told reporters that “I’d love to have a big, beautiful jet that’s built in the United States of America,” although the 747 the Qataris are offering was built in the U.S. GOP Sen. Rick Scott of Florida expressed concern for the president’s safety, saying “Qatar is not in my opinion a great ally.” And Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, said “everybody needs to know that Air Force One is not like every other Boeing.””It’s going to have to be put through a lot of paces and probably every square inch analyzed before I think the president should consider it as a primary means of transportation,” Tillis added.

House Speaker Michael Johnson said it is not his lane to discuss such matters and Many think he is right.

The House Speaker is correct, why won’t people stay on their lane? Whether Boeing is late or not, it has nothing to do with what our President decides to do with the plane.

American President deserves to have A backup plane. He deserves the gift he got and should register it in his own name. If it was a gift of a Golf Kit Set, would any care how he used it? The answer of a capital and loud ” No ” A gift is a gift. It’s a reward for giving peace to the world.Trump last week saved the world from anihilation by intervening between India and Pakistan,two nations that have immense Nuclear Capabilities.Its a reward he deserves.

President Trump during his campaigns said so much about bringing Ukraine and Russia to the negotiation table. I and many cannot say why he is not giving Zelenski much chance and leverage in the peace affair with Russia.

Its scarry for us who think, like Pope Benedict said recently is his reply to President Traore of Burkina Faso, that the powerful nations should begin to rethink their Strategies towards upholding justice, peace and development of Small Nations.

Putin is the aggressor, he is the interloper, he is the bully.He is the war monger! The Era of bullies is fast ending. The delay in the whole process of Ukraine-Russian Peace is a clear sign that the God who kept Trump from the assassins bullets is saying ” Son, think again and help the poor nations, to be free from those who are too strong for them.”

I am praying and will not stop till President Trump facilitates the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and give freedom and peace to Biafra Land. Sovereign Nations and especially the poor ones in Africa needs America. If America disappoints them, God who is incharge of His Peoples will open New Doors for them.America and Trump must not blame them. The Holy Scriptures declares that even when our parents deny us God Himself will forsake us.

President Trump will note and bear in Mind that Igbos are descendants of Jacob. Biafrans are descendantsof Jacob of Israel.

They are the sons from Gad the Seveth Son of Jacob. We look foward to Trump, turning his face towards ending the pains of Ndigbo of Biafra under the rulership of Nigeria.God bless America,Donald J Trump and Biafrans.

Clement Udegbe writes from Florida USA