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3471President Donald Trump is defending his administration’s plan to accept a $400 million Boeing 747-8 from Qatar’s royal family for use as a temporary Air Force One, dismissing Democratic criticism as unfounded and politically motivated.
Trump addressed the controversy in a Truth Social post on Sunday night, framing the deal as a straightforward arrangement.
“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. Anybody can do that! The Dems are World Class Losers!!! MAGA,” he wrote.
The Details of the Deal
The potential gift, reported by ABC News, involves a luxury Boeing 747-8 from Qatar, often called a “flying palace” due to its opulent design.
The plane would first be transferred to the U.S. Air Force for modification to meet military specifications before being handed over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by Jan. 1, 2029, just before Trump leaves office.
The modifications would likely include security upgrades, communications systems, and radiation shielding to meet the stringent requirements of a presidential aircraft.
Qatar Pushes Back
However, Qatari officials have pushed back against the idea that the deal is finalized.
Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar’s media attaché to the U.S., said the plane’s transfer is still “under consideration” and remains subject to legal review.
“The possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is still being reviewed by Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense, but the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made,” he told Politico, according to the Independent.
Critics Raise Ethics Concerns
The unusual nature of the gift has sparked criticism from Democrats, who argue that it raises potential ethics concerns.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer responded to the reports by writing on X, “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.”
Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York has also reportedly requested a federal investigation into the matter, citing concerns over potential violations of the Constitution’s emoluments clause, which prohibits government officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments.
Trump’s Allies Weigh In
Even some of Trump’s allies have expressed discomfort with the arrangement.
Far-right activist Laura Loomer, a vocal Trump supporter, wrote, “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.”
White House Insists It’s Legal
Despite the backlash, Trump and his legal team have argued that the deal is fully above board.
According to ABC News, White House lawyers and the Department of Justice have already cleared the arrangement, concluding it does not violate bribery laws or the emoluments clause, as the plane is technically being given to the U.S. government and later transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation, not Trump personally.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced this point, stating, “Any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws.”
Why the Deal is Happening Now
The 13-year-old plane, which Trump reportedly toured in February, would serve as a stopgap until the new Air Force One jets ordered from Boeing in 2018 are ready.
The new Air Force One jets ordered from Boeing in 2018 have faced multiple delays, with the latest estimate pushing their delivery to 2029, which is why Trump is looking for a temporary solution.
Trump Brushes Off the Critics
Trump isn’t letting the backlash over the Qatar jet deal slow him down. He sees it as a practical way to bridge the gap until the delayed new Air Force One jets are finally ready.
But for his critics, it’s more than just a quick fix; they see it as a potential ethics issue and a sign of foreign influence, setting the stage for another political showdown.
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