NEW: Zinke Defends Trump’s Luxury Jet ‘Gift’ From Qatar

Zinke on CNN: “He’s making deals. I think it’s transactional of him.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 13, 2025

CONTACT
gaby@montanademocrats.org

Helena, MT–  Today, in a live CNN interview, Congressman Ryan Zinke defended President Trump’s acceptance of a luxury jet ‘gift’ from Qatar, while playing down Constitutional, ethical, and security concerns surrounding the Qatari plane. 

Zinke, who claims to be a defender of the United States Constitution, brushed off the notion that accepting the luxury gift without the approval of Congress was against the law. He also dismissed the concern that the gift would give Qatar political leverage, as well as other security concerns.

Zinke did, however, acknowledge the optics might not be “a good look”, but spiraled into nonsensical word salad praising Trump.

“I can see the point too, is it a good look to have a Qatari aircraft that is now the President’s?” asked Zinke. “His comment was ‘you’d be stupid not to take it’, I think that’s from a business point of view. He is a business guy. He goes out and he’s making deals everywhere. He’s Mr. Dealmaker.”

“It’s rich coming from D.C’s own corruption connoisseur Rep. Zinke that Trump is fine taking a possible bribe.  Let’s not forget he got fired from Trump’s cabinet for breaking federal ethics rules as Interior Secretary,” said Interim Executive Director of the Montana Democratic Party, Justin Ailport. “Even hard-right MAGA supporters are breaking away from Trump on this issue, but Zinke is a feckless crony who only cares about kissing the ring.”

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