President Donald Trump engaged in a heated exchange with NBC News reporter Peter Alexander during an Oval Office meeting on May 21, 2025. Trump called Alexander “a terrible reporter” and described him as both an “idiot” and a “jerk” after Alexander inquired about the Pentagon’s acceptance of a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar’s royal family.
The confrontation took place during a bilateral meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Trump had just presented a controversial video claiming evidence of genocide against white farmers in South Africa. When Alexander, NBC’s Chief White House Correspondent, shifted his questions to the Qatari Boeing 747-8, intended as a temporary replacement for Air Force One, Trump interrupted him.
“What are you talking about? You know, you ought to get out of here,” Trump said, raising his voice. “What does this have to do with the Qatari jet? They’re giving the United States Air Force a jet, okay? And it’s a great thing.”
Trump accused Alexander and NBC News of attempting to divert attention from the genocide discussion. He criticized Alexander’s qualifications as a reporter and questioned his intelligence. Trump also suggested that Brian Roberts, chairman and CEO of NBC’s parent company Comcast, “ought to be investigated,” though he did not specify why.
The $400 million aircraft, one of the most valuable gifts received by the U.S. government from a foreign nation, will serve as Trump’s presidential aircraft until shortly before he leaves office in 2029, after which it will transfer to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation.
The jet arrangement has been criticized across the political spectrum, with concerns about potential constitutional violations. Representative Ritchie Torres, a New York Democrat, called the deal a “flying grift” and argued it violates the Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval.
Aviation experts have warned that converting the 13-year-old Qatari aircraft into a presidential plane would require extensive security modifications, potentially costing up to $1 billion and taking several years. The current Air Force One jets, dating to the George H.W. Bush administration, have advanced defensive countermeasures, encrypted communications, and aerial refueling capabilities that need to be replicated in any replacement aircraft.
During the confrontation, Trump claimed Qatar was providing $5.1 trillion in investment to the United States, though he did not provide documentation. He dismissed Alexander’s question about the aircraft as inappropriate, given the serious nature of the genocide allegations he presented to Ramaphosa.
“You are a real — you know, you’re a terrible reporter,” Trump said, pointing at Alexander. “Number one, you don’t have what it takes to be a reporter. You’re not smart enough.” He suggested that Alexander return to NBC’s studios and reiterated his criticism of the network’s management.
Trump’s anger toward Alexander persisted throughout the meeting, even after both presidents addressed other topics. He repeatedly referred to the reporter as “this jerk” and told Ramaphosa, “His name is Peter something. He’s a terrible reporter,” while gesturing toward Alexander.
The controversy over the Qatari jet has intensified, with CNN reporting that the Trump administration approached Qatar about acquiring the plane, contrary to Trump’s narrative that it was an unsolicited gift. The administration maintains that the transaction will be legally conducted between Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense.
The exchange with Alexander occurred amid Trump’s broader confrontation with President Ramaphosa over allegations of genocide against white farmers in South Africa. Trump had shown a video compilation with footage of protests with white crosses, which he incorrectly described as burial sites, and clips of political figures making statements about land redistribution.
Ramaphosa rejected Trump’s genocide claims, stating that “there is just no genocide in South Africa.” He noted that while South Africa faces violent crime challenges, most victims are Black South Africans, not white farmers. Police data shows a small percentage of murders in South Africa in 2024 were linked to farming communities, with only eight victims being farmers.
Trump’s administration has granted refugee status to 59 white South Africans, citing “unjust racial discrimination.” This policy has drawn criticism given Trump’s restrictions on refugee admissions from other countries like Afghanistan, Venezuela, and Haiti.
The confrontation with Alexander highlights Trump’s hostile relationship with major news networks. His administration has opened Federal Communications Commission investigations into ABC and NBC over diversity policies and has threatened media outlets with lawsuits over coverage of issues, including the Qatari jet arrangement.
In a lighter moment during the meeting, Ramaphosa attempted to defuse the situation by jokingly apologizing for not having a plane to offer as a gift. “I’m sorry I don’t have a plane to give you,” he said, drawing laughter from those present.
Trump responded positively to Ramaphosa’s quip, saying, “I wish you did. If your country offered the United States Air Force a plane, I would take it.” This exchange underscored Trump’s support for the Qatari arrangement, which he has defended as a “great gesture” that only “a stupid person” would refuse.
The Boeing 747-8 aircraft has been stationed in San Antonio, Texas, since early April, suggesting preliminary work on the conversion may be underway. However, security experts have warned that retrofitting any foreign-owned aircraft for presidential use would require dismantling and rebuilding the plane to ensure no surveillance equipment or security vulnerabilities exist.
The Pentagon confirmed its acceptance of the Qatari aircraft on May 21, 2025. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell noted that the Department of Defense would ensure appropriate security protocols and operational requirements are met for an aircraft designated to transport the U.S. president.
Legal experts continue to debate whether the arrangement violates constitutional provisions, with some arguing the eventual transfer to Trump’s presidential library could be a personal benefit rather than a government-to-government transaction. The Justice Department, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, a former lobbyist for Qatar, has reportedly concluded that the arrangement is legally permissible under the proposed structure.
Alexander, NBC’s Chief White House Correspondent since 2012, did not respond to Trump’s verbal attacks during the meeting but continued to seek answers about the jet arrangement. He has previously drawn Trump’s ire for asking pointed questions about administration policies and remains a frequent target of the president’s criticism of mainstream media coverage.
