Trump Alarms Reporters on Air Force One by Telling Them ‘We Need’ 8-Fighter Plane Escort: ‘Is It a Threat?’

President Donald Trump alarmed reporters aboard Air Force One with a quip about an F-15 fighter jet escort that prompted them to ask if there was a “threat” to the aircraft.

Trump is in the midst of his first Middle East trip since regaining office, traveling from Saudi Arabia to Qatar Wednesday even as he weathers an intense barrage of criticism over his decision to accept Qatar’s gift of a luxurious $400 million “flying palace” to serve as Air Force One.

While Trump and his administration insist it’s not “bribery,” critics from every quarter — including staunch MAGA allies — have denounced the move.

The president emerged into the press cabin aboard the plain old Air Force One to speak with reporters en route to Doha, Qatar, and volunteered that officials had told him “yes” they do “need” the fighter escort the plane was about to encounter.

When a reporter asked if the escort was in response to a “threat,” Trump gave a (playfully?) cryptic response:

REPORTER: How did your meeting with the Syrians go?

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I think it’s going really well. Great relationships.And now we’re meeting with a group that’s fantastic. The Emir is a great guy, I know him– I know ’em all very well.

Who are you? (INAUDIBLE) You’re gonna be surrounded by eight fighters, you know, in about seven minutes. Then you say, “Do we need them?”.

And when they say “yes,” that doesn’t make me feel good, right?

REPORTER: Is it a threat? Did they tell you what the threat is?

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Uh, no, there’s– (PAUSE) Let’s assume there’s no threat. We have to assume that. (MAKES FACE).

REPORTER: How did you find the Syrian president?

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Great. Great. I think very good. Young, attractive guy, tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter.

NewsNation cameras caught the Qatari F-15 fighter air escort minutes later.

Watch above via CNN and NewsNation.