Donald Trump appears to be open to accepting a luxurious plane from the Qatar royal family, which might lead to allegations of bribery and prompt criticism soon after. A statement from Qatar confirmed discussions with the US regarding a “possible transfer” of the aircraft he would temporarily use as a presidential transport. However, a statement from the Emirates clarified that no final decision had been reached and that it was not officially a gift.
Despite this, it seems Trump may confirm the plans through a post on his social media platform. He mentioned, “It’s concerning that the Department of Defense is giving away 747 aircraft for free to temporarily replace the 40-year-old Air Force One, which has upset the Democrats who claim we will pay for the plane.”
Earlier reports indicated that the Trump administration was gearing up to accept the Boeing 747-8, valued at around $400 million and often referred to as a “flying palace.” This plane would be utilized as Trump’s new Air Force One and then moved to his Presidential Library Foundation by January 1, 2029, following his second term.
The formal announcement of this gift was anticipated next week during Trump’s Middle East tour, which would include stops in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. However, a spokesperson for Qatar said it was misleading to say the plane is being gifted “during President Trump’s upcoming visits.”
Reportedly, Trump saw the impressive aircraft back in February at Palm Beach International Airport. If Trump goes ahead with accepting it, the jumbo jet will first be transferred to the US Air Force to modify it for presidential use, with costs covered by the military, which is funded by federal taxpayers.
According to sources, Trump’s Attorney General Pam Bondy and White House lawyer David Warrington have preemptively agreed that Trump would accept this opulent gift for his library. They argue that the lawyers and Justice Department officials involved were not treating this as official conduct, thus sidestepping bribery allegations.
These attorneys had prepared an analysis highlighting that US officials are generally prohibited from accepting gifts from foreign nations, emphasizing that this plane would be considered a gift for the Presidential Library Foundation, not for Trump personally.
Still, reports of Trump’s aides praising him have ignited a wave of backlash against the president. Democrat Senator Chuck Schumer criticized this move, quipping that nothing epitomizes “America First” like an Air Force One courtesy of Qatar, calling it a case of foreign influence.
Maryland Democrat Jamie Raskin emphasized that Trump needs Congressional approval to receive the $300 million from Qatar, as stipulated by the Constitution. He asserted that using the plane for years and then placing it in a library still qualifies as receiving a gift.
Similarly, Democrat Matt McDermott stated, “The foreign government is giving jets to the former president. That is outright bribery.” He also referenced a recent announcement about a $5.5 billion golf course being developed in Qatar by Trump’s organization.
In light of this, McDermott commented on the plane being portrayed as a “gift” and expressed concerns about its implications. Meanwhile, Juliet Kayyem, a security expert, remarked on the unsettling surveillance aspects of the deal. Additionally, CNN medical analyst Jonathan Reiner noted that Air Force One is a military aircraft, emphasizing that there are no kings in the US, so it’s not meant to be like a palace.
New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman pointed out that this plane could be the most extravagant gift from a foreign government in US history, likely raising legal questions. She added that if Trump uses it professionally, he would have access to a significantly more advanced aircraft than before.
