Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) lost patience with CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins during a heated interview Monday night, pushing back after repeated questions about President Trump’s acceptance of a $400 million jet from the Qatari royal family.
“How many times are you gonna ask me the same question?” McCormick snapped during the nearly six-minute interview on “The Source.”
“I think I’ve answered that question thoroughly now.”
McCormick’s frustration was on full display as Collins pressed him on the ethics and legality of Trump accepting the luxury Boeing 747-8, which the former president says he will use to replace Air Force One and eventually display in his future presidential library.
The move has drawn widespread criticism, not just because of its value, but due to Trump’s business ties to Qatar — including a proposed $5.5 billion golf resort project being discussed by Eric Trump during a recent visit to the country.
Trump angrily hit back at ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott after she questioned the president about the gift on Monday.
On her CNN show, Collins pointedly asked whether McCormick found the gift appropriate, referencing the Constitution’s emoluments clause, which bars US officials from accepting gifts from foreign states without congressional consent.
McCormick deflected, claiming the matter should be left to legal experts and shifting focus to broader Middle East policy.
“What I’m really worried about is the peace process [between Israel and its neighbors],” he said. “The plane will settle itself.”
But Collins wasn’t letting the issue go.
“Can you think of one situation from a past US president, Democrat or Republican, who has accepted a gift this large from a foreign government?” she asked.
“Oh never this large, of course not,” McCormick admitted.
“But that’s not the question… Is it legal?”
At one point, Collins pushed back on McCormick’s repeated attempts to pivot to Middle East diplomacy, telling him, “Yeah, I don’t think the peace process has to do with whether or not the Qataris are gifting the United States a plane.”
“Exactly,” McCormick replied. “Thank you for agreeing with me on this. That’s exactly my point. Yeah, thank you.”
Collins clarified her position, saying, “I’m saying it’s not impeding it. My question is separate — it’s whether or not you are okay with it.”
“I got it,” McCormick responded. “I think I answered that question pretty clearly.”
As the exchange grew more tense, McCormick attempted to move on from the topic, saying, “I think we’ll decide over time. I’m sure there’ll be lawyers who take a look at it, make sure there’s nothing wrong with it, nothing illegal.”
“If we have to vote on it, we’ll vote on it. And then we’ll see,” the congressman said, adding: “But I think it’s something that’s new.”
McCormick said the “$400 million aircraft, that’s an expensive gift, I get it.”
“But also, it’s not on a taxpayer. Will it be something that is gonna have nefarious software on it or something like that? That’s gonna have to be accepted or evaluated. But right now it’s just not the forefront of this issue.”
When Collins asked if that was a concern he personally had, McCormick bristled.
“How many times are you gonna ask me the same question?” he said.
“I think I’ve answered that question thoroughly now.”
A CNN spokesperson told The Post: “Kaitlan did an excellent job questioning a Republican congressman after President Trump confirmed CNN and other outlets’ reporting that his administration plans to accept a free luxury plane from Qatar, which he’s since faced scrutiny over from his biggest allies.”
The testy exchange is the latest in a string of confrontations Collins has had with Trump and his allies in recent weeks.
Last month, Collins clashed with Trump in the Oval Office during a contentious back-and-forth over the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man sent to El Salvador’s notorious mega-prison in apparent defiance of a Supreme Court ruling.
Trump insulted Collins repeatedly, calling her a “low-rated anchor,” while top aides, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Adviser Stephen Miller, defended the deportation.
“Any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws. President Trump’s Administration is committed to full transparency,” Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said in a statement.
A White House official told The Post that while it is true that Qatar offered to donate a plane to the Pentagon, the gift won’t be “presented nor accepted this week” while the president is in Qatar.
