It’s hard enough to know what you want. It’s even harder to know what others want. But what if what you want hinges on what somebody else wants…and they aren’t sure what they want?

Hence the conundrum now facing Congressional Republicans as they try to approve the ‘big, beautiful bill.’

GOPers are waiting for President Trump to push for very specific items to be in the bill – or fall by the wayside.

Congressional Republicans are aligned closely with the President and willing to bend to his wishes. But it complicates things when Trump calls for what he termed a ‘tiny’ tax increase for the super wealthy.

‘People would love to do it. Rich people. I would love to do it, frankly. Giving us something up top in order to make people in the middle income and the lower income brackets [have] more. So, it’s really a redistribution,’ said the president.

First, President Trump suggested a form of rations, limiting how many pencils kids need or how many dolls a little girl should have. That puzzled free marketeers in the GOP.

Now, to use his phrase, ‘redistribution.’

You understand how much heartburn this gives capitalists in Congress. But what’s worse is the mixed messaging.

When writing on Truth Social about creating a higher tax bracket for the wealthy, the president muddled his instructions for lawmakers:

‘Republicans should probably not do it, but I’m OK if they do!!!’ declared President Trump.

This exasperated Congressional Republicans who oppose raising any taxes – a long-held tenet of the Republican Party. 

In another political universe, taxing the wealthy would be – at best – a trial balloon. So, most Congressional Republicans decided it was time for this to pop.

‘No, we are not going to do tax increases,’ said Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., on Fox Business.

‘We don’t want to raise taxes on anybody. I mean, we’re about lowering taxes on Americans,’ said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., on Fox.

But President Trump’s Republican Party is very different from the Reagan Republican Party. The GOP shifts to where Trump wants it. Just consider the approach to tariffs compared to free trade.

President Trump broadened the party’s base in the last election. The GOP is no longer dominated by big business, titans of commerce and the well-to-do. Part of the president’s appeal was the blue-collar coalition he cobbled together. And his fundamental economic message on taxes resonated with millions of voters. That’s why his top advisers say Trump is sticking to campaign promises.

‘President Trump has made it clear that he has his priorities, like no tax on tips. No tax on overtime. No tax on Social Security,’ said National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett on Fox.

However, revenue generated from new taxes on the wealthy could help cover the cost of spending cuts.

‘We need to see what we need to do with the math to make sure that we are doing the country well fiscally and that we don’t just add to the debt,’ said Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb.

But Republicans are frustrated after House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., shrank the size of the tax cuts and spending reductions.

The tax breaks were supposed to be around $4.5 trillion at one point. They dwindled to $4 trillion. They were angling to lock in $2 trillion in tax cuts. They’re scaled back to $1.5 trillion.

‘Republicans talk a big game in campaigns,’ lamented House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas. ‘If we’re not able to bend the curve on mandatory spending, then we will send a very bad signal to the bond markets.’

But regardless of what’s in the package, the White House is expecting Congressional Republicans to ultimately vote yes on the ‘big, beautiful bill.’

‘The president has great political instincts. That’s why he’s back in the Oval Office,’ said White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt.

But that’s what Congressional Republicans found so vexing. The president may have great political instincts. But the marching orders were far from clear.

Trump conceded that a tax hike may be controversial politically.

Congressional Republicans suffer from political PTSD. They remember another Republican President who made one of the most famous political promises of all time. And then broke it.

‘No new taxes,’ intoned the late President George H.W. Bush in his address to a Joint Session of Congress in 1989.

But Bush famously reversed himself as part of a 1990 budget pact. That was not necessarily the reason ‘Bush 41’ lost reelection in 1992 to former President Clinton. And President Trump was sure enough to point that out on social media.

‘The Radical Left Democrat Lunatics would go around screaming, ‘Read my lips,’ the fabled Quote by George Bush the Elder that is said to have cost him the Election. NO, Ross Perot cost him the Election!’ wrote Trump.

The ‘Perot Effect’ certainly deprived George H.W. Bush of a second term more than breaking the ‘no new taxes’ promise. But that doesn’t mean that Republicans aren’t skittish about voting for tax increases.

And regardless, the legislative product that emerged from the Ways and Means Committee markup this week lacked the type of tax hike dangled by President Trump.

That said, Congressional Republicans certainly have their opinions about what they think of the developing ‘big, beautiful bill.’

‘A growing number of us, we don’t want smoke and mirrors. We want real cuts,’ said Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C. ‘$2 trillion (in cuts) is really a teardrop in the ocean.’

‘You’ve got front-loaded tax [cuts]. Backloaded spending restraint,’ groused Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas. ‘Medicaid reforms and work requirements don’t kick in for four years.’

‘It’ll be ironic and sad in a way that conservatives will be voting for the largest increase in the debt ceiling,’ mused Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. ‘I have a feeling it’s going to be wimpy on the spending cuts and maybe a little wimpy on the taxes, too.’

So, at least some Republicans grasp what they want in the bill. And they’re willing to take direction from the president. That’s why clear direction from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. will be key next week as the House tries to pass the measure.

Members will say they can’t vote for the bill because it has this or excludes that. But they just might be able to vote yea if President Trump knows what he wants – and makes that clear to lawmakers.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard moved the Presidential Daily Brief staff from the CIA to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Fox News Digital confirmed. 

A senior intelligence source told Fox News Digital that the director of National Intelligence ‘has always controlled’ the presidential daily brief (PDB) and that Gabbard ‘is just moving it physically to ODNI from CIA in a streamlining effort and a continuity of workforce.’ 

The President’s Daily Brief (PDB), according to the intelligence community, is a daily summary of high-level, all-source information and analysis on national security issues produced for the president and key cabinet members and advisers. It is coordinated and delivered by the ODNI with contributions from the CIA as well as other elements from the intelligence community. It has been presented to the president since 1946.

The move comes after Gabbard, on Tuesday, also moved the National Intelligence Council from the CIA to ODNI. NIC, according to senior intelligence officials, has always been a DNI component.’ 

‘It makes sense for them to be physically located at DNI,’ a CIA official told Fox News Digital. 

Another senior intelligence official pointed to Gabbard’s confirmation hearing, in which she said her ‘priority was to deliver timely, accurate and actionable intelligence as the President’s principal intelligence advisor.’ 

‘The PDB staff and the NIC are the primary apparatus that feeds her this advisory material, so moving them physically closer gives her the best support,’ the official said. ‘In other words, having them in closer proximity gives her less lag time and faster responsiveness to fill that role as principal intelligence advisor.’ 

The official added: ‘Both moves are about providing the President more timely and actionable intelligence.’ 

The moves come as Gabbard has taken steps to root out leakers and alleged ‘deep state holdovers’ who officials say are politicizing intelligence analysis and ‘trying to sabotage President Trump’s agenda.’ 

So far, Gabbard has referred three intelligence community professionals to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution over alleged leaks of classified information. Fox News Digital first reported on those criminal referrals in April. 

An ODNI official at that time told Fox News Digital that the intelligence community professionals allegedly leaked classified information to the Washington Post and The New York Times. 

Fox News Digital, on Tuesday, exclusively reported that Gabbard had fired the top officials leading National Intelligence Council, whom whistleblowers described as ‘radically opposed to Trump.’

Gabbard fired Mike Collins, who was serving as the acting chair of the National Intelligence Council, and his deputy, Maria Langan-Riekhof, Tuesday, senior intelligence officials told Fox News Digital.

Fox News Digital reached out Langan-Riekhof for comment and did not immediately hear back, and couldn’t immediately find contact information for Collins. 

Collins also has whistleblower complaints against him for political bias and ‘deliberately undermining the incoming Trump administration,’ officials said. 

They added that Collins was closely associated with Michael Morrell, the former deputy director of the CIA who worked to write a public letter in 2020 claiming that Hunter Biden’s laptop had ‘all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation,’ and to get signatures from top ex-intelligence officials. 

As for Langan-Reikhof, officials said she has been a ‘key advocate’ for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and is someone who whistleblowers allege is ‘radically opposed to Trump.’

Angry protesters disrupted a Tuesday hearing on Capitol Hill during which Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified about how the agency’s 2026 budget aligns with President Donald Trump’s agenda. 

Kennedy did not even finish his opening statement when multiple protesters disrupted his testimony, yelling that the HHS secretary is killing people ‘with hate.’

‘RFK kills people with hate!’ a protester blurted out, startling Kennedy, who quickly turned behind him to see where the commotion was coming from. ‘RFK kills people with hate!’ the chant continued, with more voices joining in. ‘RFK kills people with hate!’

Multiple people were eventually escorted out of the room, during which the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., paused the hearing.  

‘Members of the audience are reminded disruptions will not be permitted while the committee conducts its business. Capitol Police are asked to remove the individuals from the hearing room,’ Cassidy said amid the commotion.

‘That was a made-for-C-SPAN moment,’ Cassidy quipped after things settled down.

The Wednesday hearing with the Senate HELP Committee came a few weeks after HHS released its budget for fiscal year 2026. Kennedy was testifying to share how the budget aligns with Trump’s priorities. 

‘When my team and I took the helm at HHS we set out with clear goals,’ Kennedy said shortly before he was interrupted. 

‘First, we aim to make America healthy again with a special focus on the chronic disease epidemic. Second, we committed to delivering more efficient, responsive, and effective service to over 100 million Americans who rely on Medicare, Medicaid and other programs. Third, we focus on achieving these goals by cutting costs for taxpayers and intend to do more – a lot more – with less.’

While Democrats have largely ridiculed President Donald Trump‘s decision to accept a $400 million jet from the Qatari royal family on behalf of the U.S. government, Republicans have raised national security concerns and admitted they have not been briefed on the details of the deal.

Fox News Digital asked Senate Republicans for their reaction to Trump deciding to accept the luxury Boeing jet from Qatar. While Trump continues his diplomatic trip through the Middle East, House Republicans are busy finalizing his ‘big, beautiful bill’ at committee markups on Capitol Hill. 

‘I actually haven’t paid attention to it,’ Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said. ‘I’m sorry to be so out of the loop on that. I’ve just been thinking about Medicaid and about what the House is sending over.’

And Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, another Trump ally, said she didn’t know enough about the deal to comment on it when pressed by Fox News Digital. 

‘I need to find out from the administration what exactly is going on,’ Ernst added. 

Republican senators Susan Collins of Maine, Dan Sullivan of Alaska and Eric Schmitt of Missouri also admitted they don’t know the details of the deal. 

However, Collins, a Republican with a willingness to buck the party on certain issues, seemed to align more with Democrats’ reaction to the gift, saying she suspected there could be issues within the GIFT Act, which prohibits federal employees from accepting gifts from foreign governments. 

Democrats have pointed to the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution as proof the Qatari gift is ‘unconstitutional.’ The emoluments clause states that no elected official should accept a gift from a foreign country without consent from Congress. 

‘My concern is his safety,’ Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla, told Fox News Digital. ‘Qatar supports Hamas. The Hamas leaders live in Qatar, so my concern is the safety of the president. How are we going to know that the plane is safe?’

The U.S. Department of Defense is expected to retrofit the Boeing 747-8 luxury jet to be used as Air Force One. Some Republicans still have national security concerns. 

‘Qatar has a relationship with China, a relationship with Hamas. That would scare me,’ Scott admitted. 

But Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo, said a ‘free plane’ sounds like a ‘good deal for the government.’

The Trump administration has continued to defend Qatar’s gift to the United States. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed it was not ‘Trump’s plane’ and that it was donated to the U.S. Air Force. 

On Wednesday morning, Trump signed a series of agreements with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha, Qatar, which included a Qatari purchasing agreement for 160 American Boeing planes, defense agreements and a declaration of cooperation between the countries. 

Trump defended his decision to accept the Qatari jet Tuesday, saying it would be ‘stupid’ not to and emphasizing that he accepted it on behalf of the U.S. government, not himself. 

‘The Boeing 747 is being given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defense, NOT TO ME! It is a gift from a Nation, Qatar, that we have successfully defended for many years. It will be used by our Government as a temporary Air Force One, until such time as our new Boeings, which are very late on delivery, arrive. Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for FREE from a country that wants to reward us for a job well done,’ Trump said on Truth Social Tuesday. 

‘This big savings will be spent, instead, to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Only a FOOL would not accept this gift on behalf of our Country. Thank you for your attention to this matter!’ Trump added.

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment about plans to discuss the deal with Congress. 

Top House Democrats said Wednesday they will join Republicans in blocking a House-wide vote on impeaching President Donald Trump.

‘I have said before from this podium, this is not the right approach we should be taking,’ House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., said at his weekly press conference. ‘I’ll join members of the leadership team in voting to table that motion.’

Aguilar called the push by one lawmaker within his caucus a ‘distraction’ from Democrats’ messaging that Republicans are trying to gut Medicaid via Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ – a narrative the GOP has pushed back on.

Democrats are scrambling after Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Mich., stood on the House floor Tuesday and invoked a maneuver that effectively forces House leaders to take up a piece of legislation within two House working days.

House Republican leadership has opted for a vote on Wednesday evening to table the measure, a procedural motion that, if successful, would block a House-wide vote on impeachment.

Thanedar acknowledged his colleagues’ concerns about his move during his own press conference Wednesday morning, though he insisted it would not deter him.

‘Even some Democrats call me a lunatic, just like the president has called me lunatic,’ the Michigan Democrat said.

‘But they have never said, nobody has said to me, ‘Mr. Thanedar, the seven articles of impeachment that you presented to the U.S. Congress, they’re a piece of s—. They’re not good. You missed it, missed the point. They are not legally right.’ They didn’t do that. No one says that.’

However, Aguilar said hours later that it was not the right time to push an impeachment effort.

‘This is such an impactful moment, and our colleagues are locking themselves in a room for 24 hours to protect and defend healthcare. We shouldn’t be talking about this proposal that is not right, not timely,’ Aguilar said, referring to the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s meeting on budget reconciliation, which has been ongoing since 2 p.m. Tuesday.

‘This president is no stranger to impeachments, he’s been impeached twice. Impeachment is a tool that can be used, but it takes weeks, months to do. Right now the issue of the day is, will hill Republicans stand up and support healthcare in this country?’

When reached for comment on Thanedar’s push on Tuesday, White House spokesperson Liz Huston told Fox News Digital, ‘Every action taken by President Trump and his administration is fully lawful and firmly rooted in the will of the American people. President Trump is doing exactly what he promised: securing our border, bringing in trillions of dollars in investment to America, and restoring common-sense leadership.’

‘Meanwhile, Democrats are once again showing where their true priorities lie — siding with illegal immigrants over the safety, security, and well-being of hardworking American citizens. This desperate impeachment stunt is nothing more than a reckless political act that the American people see right through,’ the White House said.

No Republican is expected to vote to proceed with impeachment.

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman got into a heated exchange with Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday, which culminated in the New Jersey Democrat declaring Kennedy’s ‘legitimacy’ as a health official has ‘expired.’

‘The impact of reorganization is something that I shall continually ask you to show me,’ Watson Coleman said as she grilled Kennedy about overhauls at the agency that have affected programs related to minority and low-income health. ‘So please let me warn you now. And I don’t want rhetoric, I want numbers.’

‘I welcome those inquiries,’ Kennedy responded. 

‘The other thing that really troubles me, sir, is LIHEAP [Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program],’ she continued. ‘It is a program specifically to address the needs of low-income and minority families as it relates to heating and even air conditioning. Why, why, why, why and what is your rationale for eliminating that program specifically? Why, why, why?’ 

Kennedy attempted to respond, saying: ‘I’m very committed to LIHEAP. My brother ran a ….’

‘I don’t care about your past,’ Watson Coleman said. ‘I care about your functioning in this department and this administration, right now, in response to this question.’ 

‘My time has expired,’ Kennedy responded. 

‘Well, then so has your legitimacy,’ Watson Coleman shot back. ‘I yield back.’

Watson Coleman was grilling Kennedy in the House Appropriations subcommittee Wednesday morning regarding staff cuts to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which assists low-income families to power their homes. 

Kennedy responded to her question after their five-minute exchange expired, explaining that the Trump administration’s energy policies will lower costs across the board, including for low-income families. 

‘I’m very conscious of the importance of LIHEAP to poor people all across this country,’ Kennedy said. ‘My brother ran a low-cost, nonprofit fuel company for most of his life that provides low-cost fuel in New England. I’ve had many, many people come up to me and said, ‘My life was saved because that.’ I talked about Buu Van Nygren, who’s the president of the Navajo Nation, when I visited about three months ago, and he said cuts to LIHEAP will end up killing people. So I understand the importance of this.’ 

The Office of Management and Budget’s rationale ‘was that President Trump’s energy policy is going to reduce dramatically the costs of energy in this country,’ he said. ‘And if that happens, then LIHEAP is just another subsidy to the oil industry. If it doesn’t happen, then Congress is welcome, and they should, appropriate the money for LIHEAP and I will spend it.’ 

Earlier in the pair’s five-minute exchange, the New Jersey lawmaker accused the Trump administration of carrying out ‘racist attacks.’ 

‘Few things enrage me more than the racist attacks I see this administration carrying out by embarking on an ignorant crusade to rid the government of any programs that are working to improve the lives of Black Americans,’ she said, as she railed against the administration overhauling federal policies focused on diversity, equity and inclusion and critical race theory initiatives. ‘The administration has moved to ban the words Black, race, bias, minority, oppression, prejudice, discrimination, disparity and racism.’ 

‘Any grant application on federal programs that include these words had them immediately stripped,’ she claimed, adding that such policies worsens the health care system for Black Americans. ‘It is painfully clear to me that this, in doing this, this administration that you work with and work for is attempting to legitimize racial discrimination. And that, sir, is a moral disgrace.’ 

Kennedy shot back that President Donald Trump shares the same vision for the nation as Martin Luther King Jr. 

‘Congressman, President Trump’s vision of this country is the same as Martin Luther King’s, that we should have a colorblind administration,’ he said. ‘President Trump is deeply concerned about the maternal health crisis and the fact that Black mothers, are more likely to die in childbirth 2.6 times, 260% likely to die.’ 

Watson Coleman responded, ‘I don’t need this rhetoric about Donald Trump and the lie that he cares about me and Black people.’

Kennedy will head to the Senate side of Congress later Wednesday afternoon, when he will testify before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee regarding HHS’ budget and recent staff cuts. 

Congressional Republicans are urging President Donald Trump to remain committed to a hardline Iran strategy, calling for the complete dismantlement of the regime’s nuclear enrichment capabilities in a letter that drew wide support. 

The U.S. ‘cannot afford’ an agreement like the 2015 nuclear deal under then-President Barack Obama that ‘buys time’ for Iran to quietly continue its nuclear program, the letter, signed by over 200 members of Congress, stated. 

Iran must give up its uranium enrichment capacity entirely – even for energy purposes, the lawmakers wrote. Their letter was spearheaded by Sens. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., and House Republican Study Committee Chair Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas. It is signed by every GOP senator except libertarian-minded Rand Paul, R-Ky., and 177 Republican House members. 

‘The scope and breadth of Iran’s nuclear buildout have made it impossible to verify any new deal that allows Iran to continue enriching uranium,’ the letter read. ‘The regime must give up any capacity for enrichment.’

The lawmakers praised Trump’s withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) during his first term and his administration’s ‘maximum pressure’ campaign. 

‘We cannot afford another agreement that enables Iran to play for time, as the JCPOA did,’ the letter stated. ‘The Iranian regime should know that the administration has Congressional backing to ensure their ability to enrich uranium is permanently eliminated.’

‘You and your administration have therefore correctly drawn a red line against a deal that allows Iran to retain any enrichment capacity,’ the letter said. ‘As always, we stand ready to provide you and your administration whatever resources you need to advance American national security interests.’

When asked last week if Iran could have a civil enrichment program if it did not produce weapons-grade material that could be used in a bomb, Trump said, ‘We haven’t made that decision yet.’

However, more recently, Special Envoy to the MIddle East Steve Witkoff seemed to draw a red line against the prospect – a departure from previous comments. 

‘An enrichment program can never exist in the state of Iran ever again,’ Witkoff said in an interview with Breitbart. 

Last month, Witkoff suggested Iran may be allowed to enrich uranium to low levels. 

‘They do not need to enrich past 3.67 percent,’ Witkoff said. ‘In some circumstances, they’re at 60 percent. In other circumstances, 20 percent. That cannot be. And you do not need to run – as they claim – a civil nuclear programme where you’re enriching past 3.67 percent,’ he said on Fox News. 

Such a demand could complicate talks with Tehran, which has repeatedly asserted its right to a civil nuclear program. 

Iranian and U.S. officials ended talks in Oman over the weekend on a positive note, despite seemingly remaining at odds over the issue. 

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said Tuesday that talks had not delved into the matter yet, but Iran would be open to a temporary restriction on enrichment levels. 

‘For a limited period of time, we can accept a series of restrictions on the level and volume of enrichment,’ said Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi, according to Tassim news agency.’We have not yet gone into details about the level and volume of enrichment.’

READ THE LETTER BELOW. APP USERS: CLICK HERE

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said Saturday that enriching uranium was ‘non-negotiable’ in any sort of deal. 

‘If the goal of the negotiations is to deprive Iran of its nuclear rights, I state clearly that Iran will not back down from any of its rights,’ Aragchi said, according to state media. 

‘Iran continues negotiations in good faith, and if the goal of these talks is to ensure the non-acquisition of nuclear weapons, an agreement is possible. However, if the aim is to limit Iran’s nuclear rights, Iran will never retreat from its rights.’

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday added that calls to dismantle Tehran’s nuclear facilities were ‘unacceptable,’ and, ‘Iran will not give up its peaceful nuclear rights under any circumstances and will not back down from its rights in the face of pressure.’

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment. 

President Donald Trump signed a series of agreements with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday.

The agreements involved a purchasing agreement by Qatar for Boeing aircraft, as well as letters of intent and ‘joint cooperation’ between Qatar and the U.S. The emir also signed an intent agreement to purchase MQ-9 drone aircraft.

Al Thani said he had a ‘great’ conversation with Trump prior to the signing ceremony on Wednesday, adding that the agreements have elevated the U.S.-Qatar relationship to ‘another level.’

The deepening U.S. relationship with Qatar has drawn fresh scrutiny this week, both due to Trump’s visit and amid reports that his administration may accept a free jet from the Qatari royal family to temporarily replace the current Air Force One.

The prospect has drawn bipartisan pushback, which Trump has met with indifference. 

‘Qatar is not, in my opinion, a great ally. I mean, they support Hamas. So what I’m worried about is the safety of the president,’ Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., told reporters on Tuesday.

U.S. relations with Doha have come a long way since 2017, when Trump accused Qatar of harboring terrorism: ‘The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level,’ Trump said at the time.

From there, Qatar became a major non-NATO ally to the U.S. in 2022 under President Joe Biden and is home to Al Udeid Air Base, one of the U.S.’s largest Middle Eastern bases and a key hub for U.S. Central Command operations. 

Qatar has been at the forefront of peace and hostage negotiations, especially in the war between Israel and Hamas. An Israeli delegation traveled to Doha on Tuesday to hash out a potential agreement on a hostage exchange and ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

In March, weeks of negotiations led by U.S. and Qatari mediators led to the release of American George Glezmann, who had been imprisoned by the Taliban in Afghanistan for more than two years. Doha’s negotiators were also involved in the U.S.-Hamas deal to release the last living American hostage, Edan Alexander, on Monday.

The Trump Organization has also cinched a new deal to build a luxury golf resort in Qatar, partnering with Qatari Diar, a real estate company backed by that country’s sovereign wealth fund.

Fox News’ Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has ‘lost his confidence’ and suggested that ‘there’s something wrong’ with the New York Democrat.

Trump made the remarks while traveling to Qatar for the second leg of his Middle East trip when reporters aboard Air Force One asked about Schumer’s threats to block the president’s Justice Department political appointees until the senator gets answers about a jumbo jet gift from Qatar’s royal family.

‘Schumer is Schumer,’ Trump said. ‘You know, he’s become a Palestinian. Something wrong with him? I don’t know, I’ve known him a long time and there’s something wrong. He’s lost his confidence, totally. And there’s something wrong with him. I don’t know what it is with Schumer.’

Schumer called the Qatari gift a ‘grave national security threat’ on the Senate floor on Tuesday. 

‘News of the Qatari government gifting Donald Trump a $400 million private jet to use as Air Force One is so corrupt that even Putin would give a double take. This is not just naked corruption, it is also a grave national security threat,’ the top Democrat said.

‘So, in light of the deeply troubling news of a possible Qatari-funded Air Force One, and the reports that the Attorney General personally signed off on this clearly unethical deal, I am announcing a hold on all DOJ political nominees, until we get more answers,’ he added. 

Trump has defended the U.S. preparing to accept a jumbo jet gift from Qatar’s royal family to serve as a temporary Air Force One as Boeing failed to roll out a new Air Force One fleet in a timely manner.  

‘We’re very disappointed that it’s taking Boeing so long to build a new Air Force One,’ Trump said Monday morning. ‘You know, we have an Air Force One that’s 40 years old. And if you take a look at that, compared to the new plane of the equivalent, you know, stature at the time, it’s not even the same ballgame.’  

Fox News Digital’s Greg Norman contributed to this report.