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Behind the Story: Trump's crypto schemes, 'worthless' deals, and Qatar's wooden horse

US President Donald Trump raises a fist as he steps off Air Force One
US President Donald Trump raises a fist as he steps off Air Force One

US President Donald Trump is embarking on a visit to the Middle East this week. As he boards Air Force One, it is another plane from the Qataris that has been making the headlines.

Reports suggest Qatar will gift him a new jet, which is being dubbed the "palace in the sky".

"Nothing says 'America First' like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar," said Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer.

In the latest episode of RTÉ’s Behind the Story podcast, Fran McNulty and David McCullagh discuss whether Qatar's gift plan will take off.

"Our colleague Miles Duncan was suggesting on social media that the previous record for an interstate gift was held by Greece for an equestrian object donated to Troy. And we know how that worked out for the Trojans," David said.

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The pair also take a look at the president's involvement in crypto, the apparent end of the tariff tit-for-that with China, and that another deal with the UK "isn’t worth the paper it's written on" according to Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz.

You can listen to David and Fran's analysis on Behind the Story, which is available on the RTÉ Radio Player.

You can also find episodes on Apple here, or on Spotify here.