Donald Trump is reportedly poised to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 from Qatar’s royal family, sparking fresh allegations of corruption.
💰 A $400m Gift or a Loan?
Trump is said to be eyeing the 13-year-old jet – a “palace in the sky” – as his temporary Air Force One, according to a report from ABC. The plane, worth around $400m, would be handed over to the US Air Force first before being used by Trump until the end of his second term. After that, it would transfer to his presidential library foundation, possibly as early as 1 January 2029.
But Qatar insists no final deal has been struck. In a statement on Sunday, the emirate said it had discussed the “possible transfer” of the jet with US officials, but denied it would be gifting the plane during Trump’s upcoming Middle East tour.
🗣️ Critics Call it a ‘Bribe in Broad Daylight’
Democrats quickly seized on the news, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer mocking Trump’s America First slogan, saying, “Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar. It’s not just bribery – it’s premium foreign influence with extra legroom.”
Congressman Jamie Raskin also took aim, tweeting: “Trump must seek Congress’ consent to take this $300m from Qatar. The Constitution is perfectly clear: no present of any kind whatever from a foreign state without Congressional permission. A gift you use for four years and then deposit in your library is still a gift (and a grift).”
🛡️ Is It Legal? Trump’s Lawyers Say Yes
Trump’s team, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and top White House lawyer David Warrington, have reportedly concluded that the deal is legally sound. They argue that the jet would be a gift to the US Air Force, not Trump himself, making it exempt from laws barring US officials from accepting foreign gifts.
👀 Is There a Conflict of Interest?
The deal has raised eyebrows, especially after Trump’s business empire announced a $5.5bn golf course in Qatar just days earlier. Democratic pollster Matt McDermott called the timing “literally speechless,” while Harvard security expert Juliette Kayyem warned of potential surveillance risks, saying, “Qatar will surely offer a plane that satisfies their needs as well.”
✈️ The ‘Trump Force One’ Upgrade
If Trump takes the deal, it would mean upgrading from his current private plane – a 1991 Boeing 757 – to one of the world’s most luxurious jets. New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman noted that this would likely be the most expensive gift ever given to a US president, adding, “If Trump continued using it out of office, it would give him access to a much more modern plane than Trump Force One.”
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