Donald Trump is facing pressure from Qatar regarding a $400 million luxury jet, drawing criticism from various senior Republicans. Leading Democrat Chris Murphy characterized this arrangement as the “definition of corruption,” expressing frustration even among Trump’s close associates.
On Saturday, Trump defended himself against the backlash, asserting that the gift wasn’t intended for him personally, but rather for the United States. Murphy later contradicted this claim in an NBC interview.
In another development, some attorneys have decided to establish their own law firms, taking action against the Trump administration’s attempts to penalize civil servants. This comes as Trump engages in an array of attacks against the Justice Department and significant law firms.
Here are some key points:
Trump’s acceptance of the Qatar jet elicits bipartisan backlash
Trump’s acceptance of the Boeing jet from Qatar is being labeled as a “definition of corruption” by leading Democrats, with several senior Republicans expressing similar concerns over this luxury gift.
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy criticized NBC’s portrayal of Trump’s trip to various Gulf nations, including Qatar. Meanwhile, Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul noted that the jet gift raises potential conflicts of interest.
US lawyers launch firms to combat Trump’s legal onslaught
As Trump increasingly targets major law firms and the Justice Department, some lawyers have chosen to create their own firms. This action comes as the judiciary positions itself as a significant countermeasure against Trump’s agenda.
Numerous lawsuits have emerged, with over 70 rulings challenging various Trump administration policies, hindering the execution of several initiatives.
Walmart addresses tariffs following Trump’s demands
In response to Trump’s requests, Walmart’s Secretary of Treasury Scott Bescent claims he obtained assurances from the company’s CEO, Doug McMillon. Walmart recently announced that it would inevitably raise consumer prices this month, citing the costs associated with the president’s tariffs on international trade. This led to a frustrated reaction from Trump, who urged the company to absorb the tariffs instead.
During an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, Walmart reiterated its commitment to absorbing some of these costs.
Trump’s concern over statisticians impacting data
A proposed rule change that would facilitate the firing of civil servants labeled as “deliberately overturning presidential orders” could pave the way for the administration to dismiss statisticians tasked with providing objectively measured economic data. This is particularly concerning as Trump seeks to justify GDP figures amidst warnings that tariffs could lead to a recession.
Trump’s growing impatience with Putin, says Finnish leader
Following a detailed conversation with Trump, the Finnish president noted that Trump appears anxious about Vladimir Putin. Alexander Stubb remarked that Trump and Putin shouldn’t unilaterally dictate Ukraine’s future without considering President Volodymyr Zelensky’s stance.
Stubb expressed: “On one hand, Zelenskyy is patient, but I can say President Trump is starting to lose patience and is moving in the right direction towards dealing with Russia.”
What else happened today:
Catch up? This is what occurred on May 17, 2025.
