If it's Wednesday, wheeling and dealing in Doha, President Trump defends his decision to accept a luxury jet from Qatar as he forges new economic, diplomatic, and business relationships in the Gulf.

Plus, House Republicans barrel ahead with their mega bill to advance President Trump's agenda as a fight over taxes threatens to derail the whole thing

and as Democrats seize on the bill's sweeping cuts to Medicaid.

And the ripple effects from that bombshell new book about President Biden's re-election campaign,

the concerns about his alleged cognitive decline and the damage it did to the party.

Welcome to meet the press now. I'm Kristen Welker in Washington on day two of President

Trump's Mid-East trip as he looked to deepen

and in some cases renew relationships in the region in ways that could also enrich his sprawling

personal business interests. The president arrived in Qatar today where he was greeted by the

Amir. The visit comes amid intensifying concerns from security experts and ethics watchdogs about the president's plan to accept a $400 million luxury Qatari jet to be used as Air Force One.

The president has brushed aside any and all concerns, and he told Fox News while on board Air Force One, he feels his presidential plane is inferior. Look.

When you land and you see Saudi Arabia and you see UAE and you see Qatar and you see all

this and they have these brand new Boeing 747s mostly and you see ours next to it, this is like

a totally different plane. It's much smaller. It's much

less impressive, as impressive as it is. And, you know, with the United States of America, I believe

that we should have the most impressive plan. The subject of airplanes was also top of mind

at today's meetings as the president and the Qatar Emir took part

in a signing ceremony, which included a joint declaration of cooperation, as well as an agreement

for Qatar to buy 160 jets from Boeing.

The president's push to tighten ties with Qatar comes as the Trump organization is building

a golf club in Doha, and it's a notable shift from his past criticisms of the country.

Here's what President Trump said about Qatar during his first term.

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