When Donald Trump said he was willing to accept a lavish jet that Qatar’s royal family was offering the US president as a present, it nearly instantly sparked bribery and corruption allegations and corresponding outrage.
Qatar revealed in a statement on Sunday that it has discussed with the United States “the possible transfer” of a jet that would temporarily replace Air Force One as Trump’s presidential aircraft. According to the emirate’s statement, neither the transfer nor the idea that it was a gift had been decided upon. Late on Sunday, however, Trump himself appeared to confirm the plan.
According to ABC earlier on Sunday, which cited several people with knowledge of the situation, the Trump administration was bracing itself to take a $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8, a jumbo jet that has been dubbed a “flying palace,” from the Qatari royal family. The 13-year-old aircraft would then serve as the new Air Force One until just before the end of Trump’s second term in the White House, after which it would be moved to his presidential library foundation by January 1, 2029, at the latest.
According to ABC, Trump’s three-day Middle East journey, which includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, was scheduled to include an announcement of the opulent gift from Qatar next week. However, a representative for Qatar claimed that the statement that the plane will be given away “during the upcoming visit of President Trump” was “inaccurate.”
According to ABC, Trump had a tour of the luxurious aircraft in February when it was parked at the Palm Beach International Airport.
“The jumbo jet would first be transferred to the US Air Force so the military branch could configure the aircraft to meet the specifications required for presidential travel,” ABC’s sources told the network, assuming Trump accepts the plane as planned. The network further stated that the US Air Force, which receives a sizable amount of the money collected from federal taxpayers, would cover any expenses related to its relocation.
According to ABC’s sources, Trump’s top White House lawyer, David Warrington, and his attorney general, Pam Bondi, have already determined that it is “legally permissible” for Trump to accept the opulent gift and then move it to his presidential library.
According to reports, both came to that determination after attorneys for the Justice Department and the White House counsel’s office said that the provided plane was not subject to any formal act and was not, thus, bribery.
In a study they wrote for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the attorneys reaffirmed that the jet did not contravene federal statutes that forbid US government officials from taking gifts from foreign governments or their royals. Bondi really believed that the jet was being transferred to the US Air Force and ultimately to Trump’s Presidential Library Foundation, not her employer, according to ABC’s sources.
However, a surge of criticism was directed at the president once it was revealed that Trump’s deputies had approved the extremely unusual, if not unprecedented, present. Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, swiftly made fun of Trump’s campaign catchphrase, “America first.”
“Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar, says ‘America First.'” the US Senate minority leader from New York stated in a statement. “It’s premium foreign influence with extra legroom—it’s not just bribery.”
Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin of Maryland stated: “Trump needs to get Congress’ approval before he can take this $300 million from Qatar.” The Constitution makes it quite plain that no foreign power may give a gift of any sort without the consent of Congress. It is still a gift (and a gift) if you keep it for four years before putting it in your library.
Similar thoughts were expressed by Democratic pollster Matt McDermott, who said: “Very speechless.” A previous president received a plane as a gift from a foreign government. Bribery in plain daylight is what it is.
