TX3DNews | Commentary
In February, a $400 million Boeing 747-8 once flown by the Qatari royal family landed in Palm Beach — not for a foreign dignitary, but for President Donald Trump. By May, the offer was public: Qatar was ready to gift the jet, no strings attached.
The proposal? Use it as a temporary Air Force One until new planes are ready. The fine print? Have the Department of Defense accept it to skirt legal scrutiny. The post-presidency plan? Hand it over to Trump’s presidential library.
In most places, this would spark bipartisan questions. But here in Texas’ 3rd Congressional District, where Rep. Keith Self once blasted Qatar for ties to terrorism, we’ve heard nothing.
Just silence.
And it’s worth asking why — because we’ve heard him speak loudly on this before.
In December 2023, Rep. Self sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken demanding the U.S. cut ties with Qatar for “permanently hosting senior Hamas leadership” after the October 7 terror attacks.
Strong words. Clear outrage.
Yet now, with the same regime offering a luxury jet to a sitting president? Not a word.
This isn’t about party. It’s about consistency. And silence here, especially from a congressman who represents one of Texas’ most globally connected districts, is telling.
Let’s not pretend he hasn’t seen the headlines. This story has run on CNN, Reuters, NPR — Even Fox News has it of course you have search for it, but it’s everywhere. If Rep. Self is unaware, that’s negligence. If he’s avoiding it, that’s something else.
To be fair, this is what happens when you build your political brand around defending Trump. Eventually, you run into a contradiction too awkward to explain. Speaking up now would mean criticizing the man at the center of your movement — and that’s a risk Rep. Self doesn’t seem willing to take.
Whether it’s fear of Trump, his base, or both, the result is the same: the congressman who eagerly condemned Biden’s foreign policy is now silent as the very regime he once warned was a terrorism sponsor gifts Trump a $400 million flying palace.
Before the excuse parade rolls in, let’s be clear: this matters in TX-03. Our district is home to veterans, defense contractors, small business owners, and families who expect their leaders to show integrity — not party loyalty at all costs.
And it’s not just Democrats raising eyebrows. Conservative figures like Ben Shapiro, Erick Erickson, Rand Paul, and even Senator Ted Cruz have criticized the deal. Cruz warned of “espionage risks” and called Qatar’s extremist ties disturbing.
They see it for what it is. Why doesn’t Rep. Self?
Not everyone in this district is a MAGA loyalist nodding along to whatever Trump decides. Constituents who value national security and constitutional limits should be demanding answers — especially when foreign influence goes unchecked.
TX3DNews contacted Rep. Self’s office for comment. We asked if he still considers Qatar a threat. We asked whether accepting a $400 million gift from a government he once denounced is appropriate.
As of publication: no response. Not even a “we’re reviewing it.”
Yes, we know, it’s easier to speak out when it’s the other side crossing the line. But the truth is, what we ignore says as much as what we condemn.
We deserve better. Because TX-03 isn’t some flyover district. It’s a place where people care deeply about accountability, security, and the integrity of our democracy.
And when a $400 million jet lands in the lap of power, we have every right to ask: who’s fueling the runway?
We’ll keep the mic on — in case Rep. Self ever decides to speak up.
TX3DNews – Your News. Your Voice. Our Community.