The Secretary of Defense has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar in accordance with all federal rules and regulations," Sean Parnell, the chief Pentagon spokesman said in a May 21 statement. "The Department of Defense will work to ensure proper security measures and functional-mission requirements are considered for an aircraft used to transport the President of the United States.

Trump lashed out at the reporter, saying he was merely trying to distract from the issues involving white farmers.

The plane is a gift from the Qatari royal family and is estimated to be worth $400m (£300m).