The United States Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, compared the $400 million luxury jet gifted to President Trump by the Qatari government to the 1886 gift of the Statue of Liberty from France during an interview with CNN on Sunday morning, May 18th.
Bessent told CNN host Jake Tapper, “The French gave us the Statue of Liberty; the British gave us the Resolute Desk.”
He also mentioned, “I’m not sure if they (referring to Qatar) made any requests beforehand.”
He later discussed the outcomes of President Trump’s Middle East trip this week—the Qatar Airways purchase of 160 jet aircraft from Boeing. He said that this aircraft deal is more significant, stating, “It is the largest order in the company’s history, so, you know, I think this aircraft deal is much more important than the other deal.”
The Statue of Liberty, a giant classical-style sculpture located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, was gifted by the people of France to the people of the United States in 1886. The statue, clothed in a robe, represents the Roman goddess of freedom, with her torch held high in her right hand, the Declaration of Independence held in her left hand, and broken chains at her feet. This statue symbolizes both freedom and America and serves as a signal of welcome to immigrants.
In 1880, Queen Victoria gifted the Resolute Desk to then U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes. Since its arrival at the White House, it has been one of the furnishings that presidents use in the Oval Office, utilized by most presidents, including Trump and Biden.
As per the arrangement, the U.S. Department of Defense will receive the luxury aircraft gifted by Qatar to serve as President Trump’s temporary Air Force One until two Boeing aircraft are completed. After Trump leaves office, the plane will be retired and handed over to his future presidential library.
President Trump also mentioned the precedent set by former President Ronald Reagan. The aircraft most frequently used by Reagan as Air Force One was retired in 2001 and transferred to the Reagan Foundation 12 years after Reagan’s departure. Currently, this aircraft is on display at the Reagan Library in California.
Earlier this week, President Trump stated, “Regardless of who is president, this plane belongs to the U.S. Air Force and will be retired one day like Reagan’s plane.”
This article was based on reporting from The Hill.