...
By Khaleda Rahman
National Correspondent
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
President Donald Trump has responded to the backlash to reports that the ruling family of Qatar is gifting him a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet during his trip to the Middle East this coming week.
"So the fact that the Defense Department is getting a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40 year old Air Force One, temporarily, in a very public and transparent transaction, so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, TOP DOLLAR, for the plane," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Sunday night. "Anybody can do that! The Dems are World Class Losers!!! MAGA."
The reported gift had sparked immediate anger from Democrats, who accused Trump of corruption.
Read More
Trump Reportedly Getting Luxury Qatari Jet as Gift Sparks Fury—’Corruption’8 min read
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Gets Unexpected Praise From Republican Colleague5 min read
Liz Cheney Rebukes Donald Trump in Post Praising New Pope Leo XIV6 min read
Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar's Media Attaché to the U.S., told Newsweek on Sunday that the gift reports are "inaccurate" and that "the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made."
Newsweek has contacted the White House, Pentagon and State Department for comment via email.
...
Why It Matters
ABC News reported that Trump will use the aircraft as his presidential plane until shortly before he leaves office in January 2029, when ownership will be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation.
The report sparked criticism from critics as well as some Trump supporters. They warn it could set a troubling precedent, encouraging other foreign actors to offer luxury goods in pursuit of favorable treatment or possible business dealings. Others are concerned with the legality of the move and if it violates the Constitution's foreign emoluments clause.
What To Know
The gift had been expected to be announced this week, when Trump visits Qatar on the first foreign trip of his second term, ABC News reported.
Trump previously toured the plane—which is known as a "flying palace" because of how opulent it is—when it was parked at the West Palm International Airport in February.
Sources told ABC News that White House lawyers and the Department of Justice looked into the legality of the gift and concluded it is legal for the Department of Defense to accept the plane as a gift and later turn it over to the Trump library foundation.
Representative Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat and former constitutional law professor, wrote on X that Trump must seek Congress' consent before accepting the plane, pointing to the Constitution's foreign emoluments clause, Article I, Section 9, Clause 8, which states: "And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State."
"The Constitution is clear that 'no present of any kind whatever' from a foreign state without Congressional permission," Raskin wrote.
Senator Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, concurred, writing on X that it "seems pretty clear that a $400 million 'air palace' from a foreign emir qualifies. The corruption is brazen."
Meanwhile, Representative Ritchie Torres, a New York Democrat, has written to Gene Dodaro, the comptroller general, Steven Stebbins, acting inspector general of the Department of Defense, and Jamieson Greer, acting director of the U.S. office of government ethics, requesting an ethics review into the matter. He also asked them to issue a formal advisory opinion on the matter, and recommend policy reforms to "prevent the conversion of foreign gifts into private property by current and former presidents."
What People Are Saying
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on social media: "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."
Rep. Raskin wrote on X: "Trump must seek Congress' consent to take this $300 million gift 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)."
Rep. Torres wrote in his letter: "With an estimated value of $400 million, the aerial plane would constitute the most valuable gift ever conferred on a President by a foreign government. The American people are witnessing, in real time, what can only be described as a 'flying grift.'"
Laura Loomer, a conservative activist and Trump supporter, wrote on X: "I love President Trump. I would take a bullet for him. But, I have to call a spade a spade. We cannot accept a $400 million 'gift' from jihadists in suits. The Qataris fund the same Iranian proxies in Hamas and Hezbollah who have murdered US Service Members. The same proxies that have worked with the Mexican cartels to get jihadists across our border. This is really going to be such a stain on the admin if this is true. And I say that as someone who would take a bullet for Trump. I'm so disappointed."
Al-Ansari told Newsweek in an emailed statement: "Reports that a jet is being gifted by Qatar to the United States government during the upcoming visit of President Trump are inaccurate."
The statement continued: "The possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is currently under consideration between Qatar's Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense, but the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments, and no decision has been made."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a Friday briefing: "I think it's frankly ridiculous that anyone in this room would even suggest that President Trump is doing anything for his own benefit. He left a life of luxury and a life of running a very successful real estate empire for public service, not just once but twice...This is a president who has actually lost money for being president."
What Happens Next
Trump will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates during his trip to the Middle East this week. He is scheduled to depart the U.S. on Monday and return on May 16.
Update 5/12/25, 3:45 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines