FLASH NEWS
Donald Trump will keep Qatar plane even after he leaves office
2025-05-12 14:48:55 / BOTA
President Donald Trump has accepted a luxury jet as a "gift" from the Qatari royal family to be used as Air Force One, but according to reports, he will continue to use the plane even after he leaves office.
Officials from the Middle Eastern country said the gift is between governments and not a personal gift to Trump, noting that the plane is being given by the Qatari Ministry of Defense to the Pentagon. The Boeing 747-8 aircraft will be adapted for presidential use, including the addition of advanced security features.
However, according to some media outlets, the plane will be donated to Trump's presidential library foundation after he leaves office, meaning he could continue to use it.
The nature of this gift is unprecedented, given its estimated value of around $400 million, and has raised legal and ethical concerns.
Critics argue that this constitutes foreign influence and possibly violates constitutional limits on gifts that sitting presidents can receive.
Ongoing debates have centered on whether this deal is a disguised benefit for Trump or a sincere attempt by Qatar to strengthen ties with the US.
Qatar's Ministry of Defense has offered the Boeing 747-8 aircraft to the Pentagon, which will equip it with advanced security and communications technology for use as Air Force One, as first reported by ABC News.
Multiple media reports say that the agreement includes that, after Trump leaves office, the plane will no longer belong to the government, but will be transferred to his presidential library foundation, creating the possibility of its personal use by the former president.
While White House and Justice Department lawyers have reportedly advised the administration that the deal is legal, critics and ethics experts argue that the Payments Clause could require congressional approval for such a significant gift from a foreign country.
This clause in the US Constitution prohibits federal officials from accepting any gift, emolument, position, or title from any foreign country without the consent of Congress.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Nothing says ‘America First’ better than Air Force One, brought to you from Qatar. This isn’t just a bribe, it’s premium foreign influence with extra legroom.”
President Donald Trump responded to the criticism on Truth Social: “The fact that the Department of Defense is receiving a GIFT, for FREE, of a 747 to temporarily replace the 40-year-old Air Force One, in a very public and transparent transaction, is so upsetting to the corrupt Democrats that they insist we pay, THE HIGHEST PRICE, for the plane. Anyone can do that! The Democrats are World Class Losers!!! MAGA.”
White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt said: “Any gift from a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws. President Trump’s administration is committed to complete transparency.”
Meanwhile, Qatar's media attaché, Ali Al-Ansari, said the transfer "is still under review" and that "no decision has been made," according to ABC News.
Lawmakers and former government ethics officials are bracing for investigations and potential legal challenges, with some seeking congressional approval before the deal can be finalized.
Trump's planned visits to Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries could bring further developments or official statements.
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