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Trump Is Facing a MAGA Backlash for Qatari Air Force Facility Plan

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Trump Is Facing a MAGA Backlash for Qatari Air Force Facility Plan


The Trump Administration is facing backlash from the president’s own supporters following the announcement that a new Qatari air force facility would be built in Idaho.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the plan to build a “Qatar Emiri Air Force facility” at the Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho. The facility will be paid for by Qatar and will be used by the country to train its pilots to fly F-15 fighter jets, which it is buying from the U.S.

The plan received quick pushback from several high-profile MAGA influencers and proponents of President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda. 

Read More: Trump Brokers $96 Billion Boeing Deal in Qatar, Signaling a New Era of Aviation Diplomacy

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Steve Bannon, White House chief strategist during Trump’s first term, told Newsweek that there “should never be a military base of a foreign power on the sacred soil of America.”

The deal also came under fire from MAGA stalwart and self-described Islamaphobe Laura Loomer, who holds considerable influence in the White House and has claimed credit for several hirings and firings of high-level officials in the Trump Administration. 

“Never thought I’d see Republicans give terror financing Muslims from Qatar a MILITARY BASE on US soil so they can murder Americans,” Loomer wrote on X Friday. The deal does not involve giving Qatar a military base, but rather a facility within a U.S. base.

“The Qatari influence on the Trump administration is totally out of control,” Loomer said in a separate post. “It’s inappropriate to let Qatari’s have an Air Force base on US soil.”

Loomer also shared a clip of Trump speaking in 2017 in which he accused Qatar of historically funding terrorism “at a very high level.”

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Loomer has called herself a “proud Islamaphobe” and said 9/11 was an “inside job.” Earlier this year, she successfully campaigned for the Trump Administration to end “lifesaving” medical visas for Palestinians impacted by the war in Gaza.

The deal also drew criticism from conservatives outside of the MAGA base.

Noah Rothman, writer for conservative news organization The National Review, asked, “What’s the strategic rationale for this? Either ours or Qatar’s?”

“You could rattle off all the problems/risks we’re inviting easily. But I have no idea what the steelman case for this would be? I’m sure we don’t need to import any more Qatari covert assets into this country,” he wrote on X. 

Republican political consultant and commentator Mike Madrid said on X: “Joe Biden was criticized for a Chinese balloon flying over our airspace. They’re giving Qatar an entire f’ing air base.” 

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In a clarifying social media post late Friday, Hegseth said that the airbase would still be under U.S. jurisdiction, and that the Qatari air force would not have its own base.

When reached for comment by TIME regarding the conservative pushback, the Department of Defense redirected to Hegseth’s social media post. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Many have noted that the deal with Qatar bears similarities to those the U.S. has made with other countries. The German air force still maintains a tactical training command in Texas after decades in New Mexico, and more than 1,000 Singaporean military troops train in the U.S. each year. Pilots from several other NATO allies also train in the U.S. 

But President Donald Trump’s relationship with Qatar has come under scrutiny in recent months following a string of deals both in and outside of government. 

In April, the Trump family company struck a deal to build a luxury golf resort in Qatar. The next month, Trump unveiled his plan to accept a luxury Boeing jet as a gift from the Qatari government, claiming on Truth Social that the “free” gift would save U.S. money and that “only a FOOL would not accept” the gift.

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That move received blowback from Republicans and Democrats alike. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the move the “kind of thing that even Putin would give a double take,” and Republican lawmakers also aired out national security concerns over the $400 million plane.

“He’s going to turn Air Force One into Bribe Force One,” Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts told TIME in May.

The Qatari deal follows the nation’s role, along with the U.S. and Egypt, as a mediator in peace talks that led to the newly enacted Israel-Hamas peace deal and ceasefire. In accordance with the first phase of the deal, Israel pulled back its forces in the Gaza Strip to agreed-upon lines on Friday, and Hamas is now expected to release the remaining 48 hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive. The U.S. plans to send 200 troops to Israel to monitor the deal.

Read More: Israel Pulls Back Troops as Gaza Ceasefire Takes Effect

“No one other than President Trump could have achieved the peace—what we believe will be a lasting peace—in Gaza, and Qatar played a substantial role from the beginning, working with our folks to make sure that came about,” Hegseth said during the announcement of the air base in Idaho.

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Idaho Lottery results: See winning numbers for Pick 3, Pick 4 on March 1, 2026

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The results are in for the Idaho Lottery’s draw games on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on March 1.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 1 drawing

Day: 7-2-3

Night: 2-7-6

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Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 1 drawing

Day: 4-7-9-3

Night: 8-7-7-3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Idaho Cash numbers from March 1 drawing

03-06-07-33-41

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Check Idaho Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 1 drawing

10-11-12-35-56, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Idaho Lottery drawings held ?

  • Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Pick 3: 1:59 p.m. (Day) and 7:59 p.m. (Night) MT daily.
  • Pick 4: 1:59 p.m. (Day) and 7:59 p.m. (Night) MT daily.
  • Lucky For Life: 8:35 p.m. MT Monday and Thursday.
  • Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • 5 Star Draw: 8 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Idaho Cash: 8 p.m. MT daily.
  • Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Idaho politicians respond to Trump authorizing U.S military force in Iran

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Idaho politicians respond to Trump authorizing U.S military force in Iran


On Saturday, the United States and Israel launched major strikes in Tehran, with President Trump calling for an Iranian regime change.

RELATED | Trump announces ‘major combat operations’ in Iran, reportedly killing hundreds

President Trump authorized the U.S military operation without congressional approval, a decision that Democrats in Congress are arguing is unconstitutional.

RELATED | Trump’s Iran attack raises legal concerns among Democrats in Congress

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Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea says Democrats are “demanding answers and accountability on behalf of the American people, who are being dragged toward another open-ended war they do not support.”

Necochea says her greatest concern lies with American troops, contractors and civilians who she says “did not choose this conflict.”

“Idaho has thousands of active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, and military families who live with the consequences when leaders make reckless choices,” she says.

However, not all lawmakers share Necochea’s sentiments.

Idaho Republican representative Mike Simpson commends President Trump’s “decisive action” in Iran.

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“Iran was given every opportunity to resolve this peacefully through negotiations but chose not to,” Simpson said in a post to Facebook. “I commend President Trump for taking decisive action against a regime responsible for decades of terror. May God protect our men and women in uniform on this vital mission.”





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Town Hall to address future of Medicaid expansion in Idaho – Local News 8

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Town Hall to address future of Medicaid expansion in Idaho – Local News 8


POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Nearly two-thirds of Idaho voters approved Medicaid expansion, but local leaders say that coverage is now at risk.

According to the organizers of a town hall set for Saturday, February 28, proposed changes could severely impact Idaho’s rural hospitals and leave thousands of residents without access to healthcare.

The town hall, titled “Protecting What Works: Medicaid Expansion in Idaho,” will take place at Chubbuck City Hall from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

A panel of representatives from across the healthcare sector — including home health, hospitals, and public and community health — will answer questions about how Medicaid expansion works in Idaho and how potential cuts could affect communities. Organizers say there will also be time for audience questions.

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One of the event organizers told Local News 8 why the discussion is important:

“There have been conversations in the last couple of legislative sessions about either fully repealing Medicaid expansion or making significant cuts to Medicaid,” Shantay Boxham, the organizer, said. “This is an educational forum to ensure voters and community members have the information they need about what the program is, what’s at stake, and how it supports Idaho and Idahoans.”

There are limited seats available for the meeting. To reserve a spot, visit members.pocatello.com.

Local News 8 will continue to follow this story and have updates tomorrow.

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