The Qatari royal family has reportedly offered to transfer a luxury jet worth around US$400 million to the US government to be used temporarily as Air Force One. This move is just one example of the complex financial relationship between President Trump and Qatar, Axios reported.
Earlier this year, in February, US President Donald Trump personally inspected a Qatar-owned Boeing 747-8 at the Palm Beach International Airport in Florida, near his Mar-a-Lago estate. The White House explained that the visit was intended to help the president understand how the new Air Force One could be configured.
This is not Qatar's only gift to Trump. Recently, his company, the Trump Organization, signed a deal to develop golf courses and luxury villas along Qatar's eastern coast. This deal blurs the lines between US diplomatic relations and Trump's personal business interests.
Qatar has clarified that the aircraft will not be outright gifted, but rather is being considered for temporary transfer. Ali Al-Ansari, a Qatar spokesperson, emphasized that the proposal is still under review by the Qatari Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense, with no final decision made yet.
What Does Trump Say?
President Trump seems to affirm his intention to accept the aircraft as a gift in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Sunday night. The aircraft, valued at around $400 million, would be one of the largest gifts ever given to the US government, Al Jazeera reported.
Trump commented on the situation, stating, "The Department of Defense will get a GIFT, a plane to replace the 40-year-old Air Force One at far less cost, even though there is resistance from the Democrat Party."
How Are Democrats Responding to This Issue?
Opponents, including Democratic lawmakers and ethics advocates, have voiced strong opposition, arguing that accepting the jet as a gift could violate ethical standards and constitutional principles. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer sarcastically commented on the matter, saying, "First Air Force, brought to you by Qatar."
Representative Ritchie Torres has formally requested inquiries by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), the acting Inspector General of the Department of Defense, and the Government Ethics Office. In his letter, Torres highlighted the unprecedented value of the gift and referred to it as the most expensive gift ever given to a US president by a foreign government.
He urged an immediate ethics review to determine if accepting the aircraft would violate federal ethics laws or the Constitution's Emoluments Clause. Torres also sought policy recommendations to prevent a president from converting foreign gifts into personal property.
In response to the criticism, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the government's position, ensuring that any gift from a foreign government would fully comply with all relevant laws. She emphasized the government's commitment to transparency.
How Are Republicans Responding?
Some Republican senators have expressed discomfort with the idea of the Qatari royal family gifting such a luxurious aircraft, sometimes dubbed as a "palace in the sky," to the US president.
Senator Rick Scott, a prominent Trump supporter, voiced strong opposition, stating, "I wouldn't fly on a Qatar plane. They support Hamas." He questioned the security of the aircraft and added, "I don't know how you make it safe... I don't want the president of the United States flying on an unsafe plane."
Senator Rand Paul raised constitutional concerns: "There's a provision in the Constitution that says you're not supposed to do this. So the question is, can you do it if it's just for official purposes?" He stated that it doesn't seem appropriate.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito told CNN that Trump and the White House "need to look at the constitutionality" of accepting such a gift. She also said, "I'll check to see if there are any bugs I need to check for," implying security concerns.
What Gains Might Qatar Attain?
According to Al-Ansari, the deal would involve the jet being donated to the US government for use as Air Force One during Trump's presidency. After his term ends, reports indicate that the aircraft would be transferred to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library.
Qatar's offer of the luxury jet is not just a gift, but a strategic move to enhance bilateral relations, elevate its global status, and secure geopolitical advantages through a highly visible and unprecedented gesture.
Editor's Choice: Trump Defends Plan to Accept Qatari Jet Gift Amid Sharp Criticisms
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