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Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News
Friday, October 10, 2025

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday announced that he would sign a letter approving the establishment of a Qatari Emeri Air Force facility in Idaho.

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Trump in 2017: "Qatar has been a funder of terrorism at a very high level." Trump administration in 2025: We are building a Qatari Air Force facility in the United States.

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-- Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen.bsky.social) Oct 10, 2025 at 2:11 PM

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Allah Akbar!

#1 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-10-10 02:20 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

#2 | Posted by qcp at 2025-10-10 02:21 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

What's the over/under on number of states you'd find exploded pieces of Sean Hannity's head if Biden had done this?

#3 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-10-10 02:25 PM | Reply

WTF?

WHY?

Is this the result of the BRIBE?

No foreign countries have military bases in the U.S., but some have detachments or training programs co-located on U.S. military bases for joint exercises or training.

Sovereignty and policy: The U.S. has historically maintained a policy of not permitting foreign military installations within its borders, a stance rooted in protecting its own sovereignty.

Need for foreign bases: Unlike other nations, the U.S. doesn't need foreign military bases for self-protection, as it has the capability to project power globally itself.

Suddenly we need foreign bases on our soil?

#4 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-10-10 02:30 PM | Reply

I'm looking forward to Bari Weiss's Fair and Balanced Op-Ed offering full support for this.

#5 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-10-10 02:52 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

Idaho is chock full of neo-Nazis, this will get interesting to say the least.

#6 | Posted by qcp at 2025-10-10 02:56 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

@#4 ... WTF?

WHY?

Is this the result of the BRIBE? ...

My first thoughts and questions as well.

#7 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-10-10 03:02 PM | Reply

The US has been hosting and training foreigners on our soil for decades. The USMA at West Point allots a small number of slots for foreign cadets. The Ukrainians have been training with USAF and ANG pilots in the US for nearly 30 years. Red State Florida has had Muslim officers billeted at CENTCOM for decades. Red State Texas has hosted foreign pilots at Sheppard Air Force Base since the early 1980s. The School of the Americas and the JFKSWC have been training allied (Muslim and non-Muslim) officers for over half a century, including SOF personnel. Japan has expressed interest in establishing a military base in the US as well, because their people have grown tired of the gaijin presence on their sacred soil, particularly in Okinawa.

And note Islamophobe Laura Loomer bleats she won't vote in 2026, a non-POTUS election year. What about 2028? Poor Laura. She thinks the US is not allowed to have Muslim allies like Qatar, Egypt, Turkiye, etc etc.


#8 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-10-10 03:10 PM | Reply

Like the idiot BOAZ says: "this is what Amerikkka voted for."

#9 | Posted by Angrydad at 2025-10-10 03:10 PM | Reply

Larry Loomer is such a drama queen.

#10 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-10-10 03:12 PM | Reply

When is the disgusting orange pedo going to give the orcs an air base located on American soil.

#11 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2025-10-10 03:13 PM | Reply

#11: Vladimir Putin and Sergei Lavrov were keenly looking out the window of their Aeroflot jet when it landed in Alaska.

#12 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-10-10 03:19 PM | Reply

Larry Loomer is such a drama queen.
#10 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-10-10 03:12 PM | Reply

Don't you mean Laura Loomer??

#13 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-10-10 03:21 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

Related ...

Trump Admin Sparks MAGA Fury With Qatari Air Force Base in US -- 'Betrayed'
www.newsweek.com

... 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." ...

Conservative commentator Amy Mek wrote in an X post she is "in shock that Washington would approve a deal letting Qatar, Hamas's #1 financier, open a Qatari Air Force facility on U.S. soil at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho."

She added, "It's a shared delusion. We're not building peace. We're building a launchpad for the Islamic disaster." ...



#14 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-10-10 03:21 PM | Reply

Wow...

First Rep Taylor Greene, and now Trump advisor Loomer and fmr WH Chief Advisor Bannon?

#15 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-10-10 03:23 PM | Reply

Traitors get the rope

#16 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-10-10 03:41 PM | Reply


Like the idiot BOAZ says: "this is what Amerikkka voted for."
#9 | Posted by Angrydad a

The US has done this in the past, Germany has one at Hollman, Sheppard AFB is a multi-national base.

What President didn't want this? Was this on the Harris platform?

#17 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-10-10 03:48 PM | Reply

No foreign countries have military bases in the U.S., but some have detachments or training programs co-located on U.S. military bases for joint exercises or training.

Breathe donorBot, thats all it is, an F-15 training facility. The 391st FS "Bold Tigers" is based at Mountain home, comprised of more than 450 Airmen and more than 20 F-15E aircraft.

#18 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-10-10 03:51 PM | Reply

youtu.be

#19 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-10-10 03:56 PM | Reply

Breathe donorBot, thats all it is, an F-15 training facility.

Then it's not a base.

It's a facility on an American base. Nothing new.

Headline got me. Should have read much deeper than the tweet.

So she exaggerated a situation just to gin up some anger and get those clicks.

Yeah. I should have known better.

#20 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-10-10 04:13 PM | Reply

www.thedailybeast.com

Every POTUS surrendered 3 American military bases to Russia.

~ IAMRUNT~

#21 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2025-10-10 05:00 PM | Reply

swalwell.house.gov

media.cnn.com

m.media-amazon.com

#22 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-10-10 05:20 PM | Reply

So, this is likely why Qatar "donated" a jet to Pres Trump?

If so, what are Qatar's goals in this transaction?


#23 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-10-10 07:18 PM | Reply

It's a facility on an American base. Nothing new.

Yep. I've been to Mountain Home AFB a few times... Singapore has a similar facility there.

#24 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-10-10 07:42 PM | Reply

Don't you mean Laura Loomer??

#13 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-10-10 03:21 PM | Reply | Flag

Depends. Do you believe gender is fluid? does it flow back and fro? You ------- are losing the argument.

#25 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-10-10 08:39 PM | Reply

@#25 ... You f***ers are losing the argument. ...

If that is indeed the case here, why does your current alias seem to be so focused upon trying to change the topic of discussion?


#26 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-10-10 08:45 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

...does it flow back and fro?

Can you tie it in a knot? Can you tie it in a bow?

#27 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-10-10 08:45 PM | Reply

Can you tie it in a knot? Can you tie it in a bow?

#27 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-10-10 08:45 PM | Reply | Flag

I bet you can suck-start a Canadian motorcycle.

#28 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-10-10 08:52 PM | Reply

@kristaveadwarren

As Hegseth announces that we're now building a Qatari air force facility at a base in Idaho, l'd like to remind @tedcruz that less than two weeks ago he accused Qatar of funding Antifa

There are no grownups in charge.

#29 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-10-10 09:45 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 4

Breathe donorBot, thats all it is, an F-15 training facility. The 391st FS "Bold Tigers" is based at Mountain home, comprised of more than 450 Airmen and more than 20 F-15E aircraft.
#18 | POSTED BY ONETRUMPER

Someone should tell Hegseth.

That drunken moron is a DEI hire.

Incompetent, white supremacist frat bros need representation too.

#30 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-10-10 09:50 PM | Reply

You ------- are losing the argument.
#25 | Posted by lfthndthrds

Stay in the closet, or come out.
But make up your damn mind.

#31 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-10-10 09:56 PM | Reply

@#29 ... As Hegseth announces that we're now building a Qatari air force facility at a base in Idaho, l'd like to remind @tedcruz that less than two weeks ago he accused Qatar of funding Antifa ...

Perhaps, just another example of how Pres Trump seems to have put up the occupant of the Oval Office for sale?

#32 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-10-10 10:13 PM | Reply

From "They fund terrorism" to our closest ally getting part of a US airbase in the US...

And all it cost them a big jet no one else wanted.

#33 | Posted by Sycophant at 2025-10-10 11:55 PM | Reply

Muslims are scum.

Posted by Boaz at 2025-10-09 07:07 PM

One of things things will happen:

1. Boaz will have a seizure, heart attack, and stroke all at the same time after reading this news.

OR

2. Boaz will make an excuse and post for the next month how Qatar is so wonderful.

#34 | Posted by Sycophant at 2025-10-10 11:59 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

@#33 ... From "They fund terrorism" to our closest ally getting part of a US airbase in the US...

And all it cost them a big jet no one else wanted. ...

Looks that way.

US Security apparently for sale by the occupant of the Oval Office?



#35 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-10-11 12:02 AM | Reply

US Security apparently for sale by the occupant of the Oval Office?

If you want or need anything from the Government of the United States, licking Lewzer's taint is the best foot forward.

#36 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-10-11 12:21 AM | Reply

@#33 ... And all it cost them a big jet no one else wanted. ...

Seems that way.

#37 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-10-11 01:03 AM | Reply

@#36 ... If you want or need anything from the Government of the United States, licking Lewzer's taint is the best foot forward. ...

Well, yeah.

Just look at the Cabinet meeting being broadcast where the members of his Cabinet seem to be beholden to providing unfettered praise of their Dear Leader.

Have the White House Cabinet meetings now turned in to the adulation gatherings of North Korea?




#38 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-10-11 01:08 AM | Reply

Just look at the Cabinet meeting being broadcast....

I can't. I just can't watch that pathic level of sucking up. Nope.

#39 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-10-11 01:19 AM | Reply

Trump gets a new golf resort and a jet and in exchange a close ally of China that finances terrorism that targets US allies gets to place spies in the US. Did I sum this deal up correctly?

#40 | Posted by johnny_hotsauce at 2025-10-11 09:42 AM | Reply

You gotta hand it to Trump.

He thinks outside the box.

This is a training facility built by Qatar (with US approval) inside a US base, under US control.

I notice there are knee-jerk reactions to this, and based on current beliefs, this sounds a bit ominous.

But, as the old saying goes, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer," this might be a brilliant idea for dealing with people you don't completely trust.

#41 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-10-11 10:17 AM | Reply

You gotta hand it to Trump.
He thinks outside the box.
This is a training facility built by Qatar (with US approval) inside a US base, under US control.
I notice there are knee-jerk reactions to this, and based on current beliefs, this sounds a bit ominous.
But, as the old saying goes, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer," this might be a brilliant idea for dealing with people you don't completely trust.

Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-10-11 10:17 AM | Reply

Why are you such a traitor BillJohnson?? Seriously this is not cool at all. You are literally giving the enemy a foothold on American soil. This is wrong on so many levels.

#42 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-10-11 10:20 AM | Reply

When is the orange serial rapist going to release the Epstein Files?

#43 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2025-10-11 10:21 AM | Reply

"You gotta hand it to Trump.
He thinks outside the box."
#41 | Posted by BillJohnson

This was 100% not his idea. This was Qatar's goal when they bribed him.

#44 | Posted by johnny_hotsauce at 2025-10-11 10:48 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Laura,

I understand your reaction to this.

The US already maintains a large military base in Qatar and sells them advanced military equipment.

This move is really just a continuation of a long-term alliance with a non-Nato country.

It seems to me this is the next logical step building a diplomatic trust in a controlled environment.

#45 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-10-11 12:01 PM | Reply

I wonder if the Qataris get Lewzer Gold Card Visas?

#46 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-10-11 12:14 PM | Reply

They have Melania Orc in the White House with a back channel to pooty pants.

#47 | Posted by 2020Rocks at 2025-10-11 01:21 PM | Reply

NOT building a base, rather a facility on one of our bases. Years ago I met some here from Singapore.

FYI - GOOGLE AI Overview

Many foreign nations, including Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium, have pilots who train in the USA through programs like the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program. Other countries with pilots training in the U.S. include Qatar, Australia, Great Britain, Romania, and historically, Iran.

foreign nations whose pilot trained in the USA
Military and civilian pilots from numerous nations have trained in the United States, which has a long history of providing both commercial and military flight instruction to foreign nationals. The specific countries vary depending on the program, but some notable nations include:
Military training programs
NATO Allies: The U.S. and its NATO partners train together through programs like the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) program at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. This program includes participation from countries such as:
Belgium
Canada
Denmark
Germany
Greece
Italy
The Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Spain
Turkey
The United Kingdom
Qatar: A dedicated facility is being built at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho to train Qatari pilots on F-15 fighter jets. This expands an already-common practice of training allied forces on U.S. soil.
Singapore: The Republic of Singapore Air Force has had a fighter squadron hosted at Mountain Home Air Force Base since 2008.
Historical Examples: The U.S. has trained military pilots from many countries throughout its history, including:
China (pre-Communist)
France
Iran (in the 1970s, before the revolution)
Mexico
The Netherlands East Indies
Saudi Arabia
Turkey
Yugoslavia (pre-dissolution)
F-35 Partner Nations: Luke Air Force Base in Arizona trains international pilots from F-35 partner nations. In 2015, the first international pilot was from the Royal Norwegian Air Force.
Civilian training programs
Thousands of foreign nationals pursue civilian pilot training each year at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved flight schools across the U.S.. Countries with pilots who often train in the U.S. include:
China: Students from China often come to the U.S. for training, as general aviation is rare in their home country.
European nations: Many pilots from European countries, such as the United Kingdom and Germany, come to the U.S. for training due to the comparatively lower cost.
India: Indian students are known to pursue pilot training in the U.S..
Latin American nations: A wide array of students from South and Central American countries attend U.S. flight schools.
Tunisia: Pilots from Tunisia have been reported to train at U.S. flight schools.
Venezuela: The U.S. has also trained pilots from Venezuela.

#48 | Posted by MSgt at 2025-10-11 03:52 PM | Reply

I remember the days MAGA hated Hamas.

Now they cheer the union between Qatar and Trump.

One plane was all it took for MAGA to support Hamas.

#49 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-10-11 03:58 PM | Reply

LOL. The nation that Trump denounced as an international supporter of terrorism has been given a military base... in Idaho... by Trump.

It would be impossible to make this degree of hypocrisy up.

#50 | Posted by moder8 at 2025-10-11 04:57 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

48 | Posted by MSgt

How many of those countries gave a direct bribe to the President in exchange?

#51 | Posted by johnny_hotsauce at 2025-10-11 05:39 PM | Reply

Its a building for Qatari f15 pilots cross training with US and NATO forces.

The relationship building happened through Bush and Obama, GWOT. They bought the jets in 2017 and took delivery in 2021. The word of the day is "bipartisan".

#52 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2025-10-11 06:00 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

The word of the day is "bipartisan".
#52 | POSTED BY SITZKRIEG

"Bipartisan"!

Thanks for the laugh.

You Trump supporters are hilarious.

#53 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-10-11 06:39 PM | Reply

Its a building for Qatari f15 pilots cross training with US and NATO forces.
The relationship building happened through Bush and Obama, GWOT. They bought the jets in 2017 and took delivery in 2021. The word of the day is "bipartisan".

#52 | Posted by sitzkrieg

Ah! Selling them military equipment is THE SAME AS giving them a base on US soil!

Interesting.

Now my neighbor gave me Christmas cookies last year, does that mean I get control of her refrigerator or her stove? What about her microwave?

I also bought some stuff at Target, which part of the store do I now get to occupy? I hope its the area with TVs. Tell me its the area with TVs!

#54 | Posted by Sycophant at 2025-10-11 07:01 PM | Reply

We all know how much Trump supports bipartisanship.

Mr Bipartisan! That's what he'll be known as.

#55 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-10-11 07:17 PM | Reply

It's a building on the base, like every other 15 operator gets when they're cross training with the US.

It's embarrassing to be in the same party with you people sometimes.

#56 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2025-10-12 08:07 AM | Reply

"Ah! Selling them military equipment is THE SAME AS giving them a base on US soil!"

They're not getting aa base on US soil. They will be a tenant unit.

#57 | Posted by madbomber at 2025-10-12 08:16 AM | Reply

Just like USCENTCOM forward, the CAOC, and the 379th Air Base Wing all reside at Al Udeid Air Base, right outside of Doha.

#58 | Posted by madbomber at 2025-10-12 08:17 AM | Reply

Qatari royals also attended the USAF Academy.

#59 | Posted by madbomber at 2025-10-12 08:41 AM | Reply

Remember when that Saudi F-15 pilot shot up a bunch of people at NAS Pensacola?

The program continues, across D & R admins. Bipartisanship in action.

#60 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2025-10-12 09:38 AM | Reply

Member when presidents followed the Constitution?

#61 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-10-12 11:17 AM | Reply

It's embarrassing to be in the same party with you people sometimes.
#56 | Posted by sitzkrieg

You're not in a party with anybody.
The Lion does not join a party.

#62 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-10-12 11:45 AM | Reply

It's a building on the base, like every other 15 operator gets when they're cross training with the US.
It's embarrassing to be in the same party with you people sometimes.

#56 | Posted by sitzkrieg

Oh chill out.

Do you not understand the blatant hypocrisy we are pointing out?

QATAR went from "terrorist supporter" to they get an air facility and US training just months after gifting Trump a jet.

And don't forget, "We stand with Israel" to gifting a facility at a US air base to a nation Israel considers an enemy. Nutty must be pissed.

#63 | Posted by Sycophant at 2025-10-12 11:46 AM | Reply

"Do you not understand the blatant hypocrisy we are pointing out?"

The Lion does not concern himself with the base hypocrisy of the hyena.

#64 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-10-12 11:48 AM | Reply

"QATAR went from "terrorist supporter" to they get an air facility and US training just months after gifting Trump a jet."

I'm not sure you know this, but Al Udeid Air Base might have largest US presence of any Air Base outside of the US? And it's in Qatar. Ramstein Air Base in Germany might have a bigger presence...IDK.

Qatar has always played all sides. During the US change of command in 2018, I was told that Tamim the Glorious spent a million dollars on the party. The average monthly income for a Qatari citizen is $20k. They have money to throw around.

#65 | Posted by madbomber at 2025-10-12 02:09 PM | Reply

Qatari Air Force Facility Update: Official Clarifies Status and Plans
www.newsweek.com

... Al-Ansari highlighted that, like any construction project, the facility will generate hundreds of jobs for local Americans and continue to sustain them during the "maintenance phases."

The project has been in the works for "several years" with planning going through several rounds of "engagement and community consultation" and has received approval at both the city and local levels.

The U.S. has partnerships with several different partners to train their troops on U.S. facilities, including Turkey, Singapore, Italy, Netherlands, Finland, Switzerland, the U.K., and others. Singapore, particularly, trains at Mountain Home Airbase. ...

When Did The US Agree to Host a Qatari Air Force Facility?

The U.S. and Qatar first inked a deal in 2017 to sell Qatar 36 aircraft, their associated weapons systems, U.S.-based training, maintenance support equipment and logistics support, according to The Air Force Times.

Stars and Stripes then in 2022 reported that the Air Force was looking to bring 170 members of Qatar's Air Force to the Idaho base, where they would learn to fly the newest F-15 fighter jet "specifically modified for the Persian Gulf state" and advance the program.

Lt. Col. Peter Yule at the time told the Idaho Statesman in a phone interview: "With Singapore, their ability to integrate with our local community has been phenomenal. I would expect the same thing out of the Qatar program."

Yule called the sale of aircraft to Qatar "obviously a big strategic advantage" that will "continue to increase capability of partner nations within the Middle East, a region of huge influence for the United States. So the more we can increase capability with our appropriations there, the less reliant we have to be on a large footprint by the United States military." ...


#66 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-10-12 02:24 PM | Reply

Heyyyyyy.... aren't those the same fellers... or related too... or share the same ideology with the people that throw the gheys off buildings and stuff?

#67 | Posted by RightisTrite at 2025-10-12 04:26 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Like the idiot BOAZ says: "this is what Amerikkka voted for."

#9 | Posted by Angrydad

Go ---- yourself jackass.

All they are getting is some space in a building.

#68 | Posted by boaz at 2025-10-12 05:20 PM | Reply

One plane was all it took for MAGA to support Hamas.

#49 | Posted by ClownShack

Oh shut up. Just because you are military ignorant and have no idea about the military means you should shut up about things you dont understand.

#69 | Posted by boaz at 2025-10-12 06:45 PM | Reply

@#68 ... All they are getting is some space in a building. ...

So, your current alias has not seemed to read #48 or #66?


Qatar is getting more than just space in a building.

#70 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-10-12 07:01 PM | Reply

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