Trump Admin Sparks MAGA Fury With Qatari Air Force Base in US--'Betrayed'

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Newsweek

Oct 10, 2025 at 12:59 PM EDT


Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Friday that the U.S. has greenlit the establishment of a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility in Idaho, a move that has drawn backlash from some of the administration’s closest Make America Great Again (MAGA) allies, with Laura Loomer saying, "I have never felt more betrayed by the GOP," over the move.

Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist during President Donald Trump's first term and architect of the MAGA movement, told Newsweek in a text message, "There should never be a military base of a foreign power on the sacred soil of America.” Newsweek has reached out to Qatar's government communication office for comment via email on Friday.

Why It Matters

The administration's announcement shocked the MAGA core base, who have applauded the president on his "America First" agenda. The agreement states an Idaho air base will "host a contingent of Qatari F-15s and pilots." The move comes months after Trump accepted a Qatari luxury jet, which drew criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, including from Loomer.

It also comes as the U.S. is working with mediators in the region to put an end to the Israel Hamas war. Qatar has been a longtime ally of the U.S. and hosts key CENTCOM military operations at Al-Udeid Air Base near Doha.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/trump-admin-sparks-maga-fury-with-qatari-air-force-base-in-us-betrayed-10862415

[wcmagumba]

1. Idiots...

[wcmagumba]

5. Still a stupid idea, Dem or Thug...IMO

[awesomerwb1]

11. You keep posting this. Have a link/proof?

[Abnredleg]

13. Article from 2022

https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2022-01-18/deal-qatar-air-rorce-members-idaho-base-4330963.html

[yardwork]

25. That is different. Biden didn't propose a foreign base here.

Biden proposed having soldiers train on OUR base. Thats quite common.

You're spreading misinformation.

[Abnredleg]

31. They're building a training facility at Mountain Home AFB

It will likely be right next to the training facilities built for the Singapore Air Force that has been in operation for years. We’ve done this before with different nations over the past few decades as it is a common piece of any major aircraft sale.

[yardwork]

33. Show me a foreign military facility on American soil.

I don't believe that one exists.

[Abnredleg]

36. Sure there is

Singapore has a facility at Mountain Home AFB for F15 training. They’ve just announced that they will do their F35 training in Arkansas. The Qatar agreement is essentially a copy of what Singapore is doing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/428th_Fighter_Squadron

Germany, of course, has had training facilities in the US since the mid-1950s, and their army had a permanently training facility at Fort Bliss for decades.

https://www.holloman.af.mil/About/Units/German-Air-Force/

To be clear, there are no independent foreign bases in the US. What I am talking about are long term training facilities on existing US bases. You will note that the Qatar announcement speaks of “facilities”, not bases.

[COL Mustard]

49. We have, or used to have,

German pilots come to the US for pilot training in New Mexico. Other German troops have come here for artillery training, including Patriot missile operation & repair.

[Lithos]

52. it's fairly common

The Germans had a permanent training facility at Holloman AFB. They and a few others had long term training facilities at Ft. Bliss in order to attend the PATRIOT missile school.

The UK has long term facilities and programs on US bases all over the US.

The important part is these are still sovereign US territory and part of the various military schools for training specific skills.

[yardwork]

59. Thanks, Lithos.

I trust your information. Is this facility for Qatar essentially the same as the other models?

One immediate difference that comes to mind is that the Germans capitulated to us after WWII. We have bases in Germany. I assume the training programs we hosted for German soldiers were part of the post WWII, Cold War NATO arrangements. And Britain is a longtime trusted ally.

In this day and age it makes me uneasy to give Qatar a training facility on US soil. I'm far from an isolationist but....

[slightlv]

62. From what I've read, this Qatari facility is different from the

programs already in force here in the U.S. Many, many countries have training agreements with the U.S. where groups of their military come here for training. They have liaison offices and training offices on the bases. But the Base is still an American base, and the foreign country is a guest of the host country and base. Not the other way around. My first working contract after my divorce and separation from the AF, was all written in Arabic, in fact. I worked for one of the Saudi Liaison offices at what used to be known as Lackland AFB. We were under the aegis of both the host country (U.S.) and the Embassies of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, out of Washington D.C. We did NOT own Lackland. From everything I've read so far (and I've read quite a bit, which I admit even I can see slants and angles in the writing) have Qatar owning the base instead of it being owned by the Host Country.

Like I said, I worked for the Embassies... not Lackland. We kept to the Arabic calendar. I've also worked as a DoD Civilian in creating training materials that were used in some of these classes... of course, this was decades after my work at Lackland.

I was also stationed at Lackland AFB as permanent party when I served in the Air Force. What I've read so far has my hackles up, ears pricked, and every hair on my arm standing straight out from my body, as a Veteran. I hate to call common cause with such a traitor and hater as Loomer, but I, too, call this a betrayal. And I see NO good coming out of it. I DO see it as a payoff, probably for trumps building in Qatar. IMO, it will always revolve around trump's money and power, no matter what the situation is. We all agree his whole life is lived on a transactional basis. We'll be lucky if we still own most of the country by the time he's done using at as an AirBnB.

[Lithos]

63. The DoD clarified what Hegseth mumbled through

https://apnews.com/article/idaho-qatar-us-air-force-base-fc1506584e7833dbde3e16fe8613b6b4

It's a training facility, not a base, and is comparable to what the Singaporeans have.

“What we expect is it to be squadron operations and hangars for the F-15QA, because that’s the Qatari version of the jet that they bought through foreign military sales,” Air Force spokesperson Ann Stefanek said. “It is definitely still a U.S. Air Force base.”

In fact, on-site training agreements with allies are common in the U.S. The Republic of Singapore 428th Fighter Squadron Buccaneers have been hosted at the base since 2008. German forces trained at the Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico for decades. New facilities to train international F-35 fighter pilots were completed at Ebbing Air Force Base in Arkansas last year.

....

Security at the base will continue to be handled by U.S. Air Force personnel, she said, and anyone going to the base will still have to show the proper credentials in order to enter.

The phrasing of this was definitely mismanaged by Kegsbreath.

L-

[slightlv]

64. Then why have they not mentioned the DLI?

If it's just a "training facility" it would fall under the DLI umbrella.

[Lithos]

66. DLI Defense Language Institute

if that is what you mean, then no - that is a specific function which is focused on language and not arms training.

L-

[slightlv]

67. At least under the Air Force, when I was in and when I was an assistant liaison officer,

ALL foreign training was under the main department of the DLI. True, after graduating from DLI classes, some went to other training bases, but they were still all registered DLI.

Army calls it something else... and although I worked with them for over 10 years, I'll be damned if I can pull the name out of my head right now. But it was the same type of thing... they came first under the language and war college training, and then on to other posts for further training. I likened it to joining the AF, going to basic, and then going to your tech school afterwards. But you were still tracked by where you went to Basic.

While I was liaison while at Lackland, I was DoD while creating lessons and curriculum for the War College. There were entire lessons and units that were not available for those who were here from foreign countries. Even vignette scenarios had to be carefully constructed so as not to resemble too closely anything that had happened and might be classified -- even if it had been in the news media for ages. THAT one I thought was pretty dumb... but, then, who was I? Just a coder... (LOL)

[cyranodequixote]

53. DT was president when this project started

@Abnredleg
From the article you posted:
"The Qatar project dates to 2017 when the United States inked a $12 billion deal that gave Qatar "36 aircraft, their associated weapons systems, U.S.-based training, maintenance support equipment and logistics support," according to The Air Force Times"

Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2022-01-18/deal-qatar-air-rorce-members-idaho-base-4330963.html
Source - Stars and Stripes

[yardwork]

26. Calm down. The poster is wrong.

Read the article. Biden never proposed hosting a foreign military base in the U.S.

[Ponietz]

29. Dump sold them the jets and made the base promise in 2017 -- Stop trying to hang this on Biden

Biden slow-walked it. Your post is misleading.

[UpInArms]

2. This will not end well

N/t

[Abnredleg]

4. It's common to create training units in the US as part of plane sales

Singapore also has a training squadron at the same base.

[UpInArms]

7. I was referring to the MAGAt fallout

thank you, though, for your knowledge

[yardwork]

27. That's different from giving them their own base on our soil.

[Abnredleg]

30. They're constructing a training facility on a US base

It will likely be right next to the training facility built for the Singapore Air Force that has been in operation for a number of years.

[yardwork]

32. I've never heard of letting another country built their own base on our soil.

That is quite different from inviting soldiers from other countries to train on our own bases, under our control and jurisdiction.

Will we have full access to this facility? Who will have control over it? Will they have the right to invite other nations to send their own military? I mean, WTAF?

This is quite different from the training that Biden proposed. Please stop conflating the two. You're upsetting people. And distracting from something terrible that Trump is doing.

[Abnredleg]

37. They are not building their own base

they are building a training facility at Mountain Home AFB.

[orangecrush]

60. You are correct

From Google AI -

"Key details about the planned facility in Idaho:
Location: The facility will be located at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.
Purpose: It will host a contingent of Qatari pilots and F-15 fighter jets for advanced training alongside the U.S. Air Force to improve military cooperation. The location's desert landscape is similar to Qatar's, making it a suitable training ground.
Ownership and control: The facility will be built within the U.S. air base and will remain under U.S. jurisdiction and control. This is a standard arrangement for foreign military training on U.S. soil.
Funding: The Qatari government will fully fund the construction and operational expenses for the facility.
Context: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials confirmed the agreement on October 10, 2025. The announcement drew some backlash online from those who mistakenly believed Qatar was establishing its own base."

And we have some similar training with many countries.

Trump's being bribed by Quatar is a separate matter.

[Skittles]

57. you seem very vested in sane-explaining this

I don't trust ANYTHING coming from Cadet Bonespurs Donald Fucking Trump and his rapist sidekick Kegseth.

[C_U_L8R]

6. Poor magats imagine planes flying into Paul Bunyan.

So easily triggered.

[Justice Brandeis]

8. I would not oppose a British, Canadian or French military base in the U.S.

But yeah, not Qatar. They are not our friends.

[Captain Zero]

16. And Qatar will lease it out to WHOM? Russia?

China?

We are SO FUCKED IF THIS STANDS!!

[Abnredleg]

17. Its not a base - its a training detachment on an US base

Singapore also has a training detachment at the same base.

[yardwork]

28. That's not what Hegseth said.

You're confusing two things. Hegseth said Qatar would their own "facility" in Idaho. That's a first and Biden certainly did NOT propose that.

[Abnredleg]

38. Facility as in hangars and admin offices

that will be built at Mountain Home AFB. Just like the Singapore AF training facility at Mountain Home. You can't host training without infrastructure - ie. facilities.

Facility does not equal base.

[BidenRocks]

41. The lack of trust in chump is clear!

Show us the entire proposal.
Every word!

[Abnredleg]

43. This is a routine training package

But I understand the reaction given that Trump is a grifter.

[WarGamer]

56. I saw the same thing when I went to my son's Air Force BMT graduation at Lackland...

Lots of foreign pilots who yes, have their own facilities.

[BannonsLiver]

61. What it does equal is an another solid/decent messaging opportunity for the opposition.

That Trump is allowing foreign countries to build military facilities in the U.S. The “wElL aCTUAlLy!11” crap is another example of why we lose.

[Justice Brandeis]

68. That depends on what the definition of the word "is" is

[24601]

65. Qatar is a US ally. Its Al Udeid Air Base host's the USCENTCOM Forward Headquarters and many US units

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Udeid_Air_Base#:~:text=It%20houses%20the%20Qatar%20Emiri,of%20the%20Iran%E2%80%93Israel%20war.

[Mawspam2]

9. MAGAts really thought Trump was getting a gold jet for free?

[Blue Owl]

10. There he is, MAGAts.... Mr. America...

The fat, makeup-clad clown prince of corruption who you zealously elected into office so he could fucking DESTROY America and the democracy for which it once stood.

This is all on you gullible marks who fell for the con man's slick trickery.

You all make this possible, MAGA.

Not just for your own stupid selves, but for the rest of us who now have to live under this oppressive bullshit.

Fuck all of you with tRump's tiny shit-covered micropenis.

[Captain Zero]

12. What the Mofo FUCK !?!

So the jet wasn't so free.
And now neither are we.

HE NEEDS TO BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE IMMEDIATELY !!

RIP HIS FAT ASS OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE NOW!!

[Abnredleg]

18. It has nothing to do with the jet

It’s part of a F 15 sale made a number of years ago.

Here’s an article from 2022:

https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2022-01-18/deal-qatar-air-rorce-members-idaho-base-4330963.html

[ananda]

14. OK... and how many betrayals does this make now?

And they're still Magats......

[underpants]

15. I have to hope they'll never be loaded with weapons

Right? RIGHT?

One rogue F-15 pilot could do a lot of damage

[RussBLib]

20. Qatar has been a big Hamas supporter

...and Israel selectively bombed Qatar back on 5 Sept.

And now this? Something stinks pretty badly here.

[Norrrm]

21. Biden negotiated it? Now, Trump approves it.

Donald owns it.

[speak easy]

23. The deal dates back to 2017

“ The Qatar project dates to 2017 Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2022-01-18/deal-qatar-air-ror

[Norrrm]

22. Trump 2017: 'Qatar is a funder of terrorism'- Trump DoD in 2025: 'We're building a Qatari Air Force facility in the US'

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220711851

Trump 2017: 'Qatar is a funder of terrorism'- Trump DoD in 2025: 'We're building a Qatari Air Force facility in the US'

[joanbarnes]

24. Didn't Bin Laden start his 'holy war' against the U.S. due to troops in Saudi Arabia?

[Bluestocking]

34. It's in a very red state

[IronLionZion]

35. Singapore has been at that base for years

The US sells jets to other countries so they send their pilots here for training. There are pilots from plenty of other countries like Saudi Arabia, UK, Germany, and more here in US air bases.

I'm here for the MAGA heads exploding with hate.

But DUers shouldn't worry too much about having foreign air force pilots on US air bases. That's been happening for a very long time. Newsweek is trying to evoke an emotional reaction with their headline and reporting.

[GregGilman]

39. Foreign Military On Our Soil?

Qatar gave Trump a big shiny plane.
Now it’s payback. Let me explain:
He’s giving Qatar a base in Idaho!
A horrific deal to feed his sick ego.

[ancianita]

40. Foreign military F-15 training by Boeing contractors ON a US military base. NOT giving Qatar their own land for a base.

Training (which includes housing, food, etc) only. Not land for a base. WE own the base. They're just training on our base. See the difference?

[BidenRocks]

42. Quid Pro Quo!

Lock him up for abuse of power!

[Buddyzbuddy]

44. In other news, Russian military will now be in charge of maintaining

our nuclear arsenal.

[EX500rider]

45. Click bait

They will have training facilities on a US base like other countries who buy US jets with a training package included in the price

[BumRushDaShow]

46. The issue to focus on is the MAGat split

I.e., those who are extreme "isolationists" and want no part of the rest of the world (nor want the U.S. involved in such), including refusing to promote the neocon "spreading democracy around the world" thing that PNAC pushed for.

Then there is the other side where you have psycho lackeys who bob and weave back and forth to whatever hypnotist pendulum is swung in front of their faces.

[republianmushroom]

47. A lot of living and learning, going on for MAGArats.

[bmichaelh]

48. Devil's Advocate

It appears that Trump does not have a Devil's Advocate in his administration.

Someone to challenge him by providing the downside of a specific decision.

Other administrations have used someone in that role.

Trump is using yes men and yes women.

This is bad because Trump is not the brightest one in the room.

[Cha]

50. That's what Neo Nazi Traitor is About..

BETRAYAL!

[BoRaGard]

51. Wow, the Republican casino hustler really suckered the Margas

As usual. The MAGATs really need to stop sleeping through the billionaire butt reaming they are getting. Go woke, or go broke. The Republican billionaires have no respect for you. You are just their convenient suckers in waiting.

[Old Testament Libera]

54. Sounds like a great idea!

Piss off all the white supremacists in Idaho

[Jimvanhise]

55. BUT OF COURSE

When Trump has to flee America after he is exposed in the Epstein files, a foreign base will be his perfect jumping off place to flee to a nation where he can live out his life in luxury.

[sop]

58. We shouldn't let the facts prevent us from pouring fuel on the MAGA outrage fire.