South African President Makes Bribe Joke During Trump Meeting After Admin Formally Accepted Qatari Jet

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa jokingly apologized to US President Donald Trump during their Oval Office meeting on Wednesday.

"I'm sorry I don't have a plane to give you," he told Trump.

"I wish you did," Trump replied with a grin. "I would take it."

The bold joke was a welcome respite from tension in the room after Trump blew up at reporters as the two presidents took questions from the press.

In addition to Ramaphosa's visit, Wednesday marked the US government's official acceptance of a $400 million Boeing 747 jet from the government of Qatar — a move that has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and ethics experts alike.

Trump exploded at a reporter who veered away from the discussion of white genocide in South Africa — a disproven claim that Trump recently adopted as a talking point — to ask about the jet. "You ought to get out of here... You are a terrible reporter," Trump said. "No more questions from you. Quiet! Quiet!"

The President went on to blame the media for ignoring what he described as a crisis involving violence against white South African farmers. "These are all farmers being buried and he asks about a jet. You ought to be ashamed," Trump said, visibly agitated.

Moments later, President Ramaphosa tactfully regained the room's attention with his regretful acknowledgement that while South Africa seeks partnership with the US, it lacks such an illustrious bargaining chip.

Trump took the comment in stride despite an apparent sensitivity to the subject.

The jet's acceptance has drawn backlash from Democrats and even some Republicans, who have warned of potential ethical and constitutional concerns. "The transaction strikes me as being rife with political espionage, ethical and constitutional problems," Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) told NBC last week.

Despite the blowback, Trump has defended the move, insisting, "It would be stupid not to accept a free jet," and emphasizing that the plane is going to the US government, "not to me."