Fact Check: Did Donald Trump let Nelson Mandela use his plane for free as Tyrus claims?
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former president Donald Trump was recently questioned by Fox News contributor George "Tyrus" Murdoch about the time in 1990 when he chartered former South African president Nelson Mandela out to the US, per Newsweek.
Tyrus said during the interview on his show on the OutKick streaming platform that Trump chartered a 727 plane for Mandela and 80 others' entire trip for free. But is there any truth to these claims? Let's find out below.
Claim: Trump let Nelson Mandela use his plane for free
During the interview, Tyrus claimed, "The United States government wasn't helping him (Mandela). No one was helping him. You chartered a 727 plane for their entire trip."
He added, "How is somebody, why is it hard for you to talk about the things you've done? Why do we not know those things?"
.@PlanetTyrus: Nelson Mandela was trying to come to the United States. You chartered a plane for the entire trip. Why is hard for you to talk about the things you've done?
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 18, 2024
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I love doing it. I don't need praise for it. I just like helping people. I help a lot of… pic.twitter.com/L5aUfXzH2D
Trump then replied to his statement, "I just like helping people. I help a lot of people, and I enjoy doing it, and I never talk about it's nice that you bring it up."
False: Trump did not let Nelson Mandela use his plane for free
Former president Trump did not let Nelson Mandela use his plane for free in 1990 but charged the trip's organizers $130,000 to charter the 727, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times.
The outlet also reported that Mandela initially asked Trump if he could rent his private jet but Trump said that it was unavailable because it was being serviced. The Republican nominee then offered Mandela a 727 plane from Trump Shuttle.
Proof: Glenn Kessler provides additional context in X post
The Washington Post's Glenn Kessler also gave additional context on Friday, October 18, after Trump's interview with Tyrus. He posted on X, "The Trump Shuttle was in financial trouble because Trump made a bad deal and ended up with too many 727s."
This is false. The truth, based on news reports at the time: The Trump Shuttle was in financial trouble because Trump made a bad deal and ended up with too many 727s. He had already put the airline up for sale and would soon lose control of it to the banks. He didn't offer his… https://t.co/JfoU3eDLcE
— Glenn Kessler (@GlennKesslerWP) October 18, 2024
He also wrote, "He had already put the airline up for sale and would soon lose control of it to the banks. He didn't offer his own plane but charged Mandela $130,000 to borrow one of his unused jets."
Tyrus tells Trump 'I'm voting for you for the man you are'
Tyrus told Trump during the interview, "I'm voting for you now because of the man you are, not because of the policies, because not every American will get the opportunity that I had to [see] who you were backstage."
The former wrestler added, "I get it. You're humble. Because you're a father first."
