A 13-year-old private Boeing aircraft that Trump visited in February in West Palm Beach, Florida has sparked controversy. Donald Trump has shown interest in receiving a luxury plane as a gift from Qatar’s royal family, leading to accusations of bribery and corruption. Qatar confirmed discussions with the US regarding the potential transfer of a plane for Trump’s temporary use as the presidential aircraft, replacing Air Force One. Despite Qatar’s statement denying the plane was a gift, Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that the Defense Department would receive a free 747 aircraft to serve as a temporary replacement for Air Force One. The estimated $400 million Boeing 747-8 from the Qatari royals, considered a “flying palace,” would be used by Trump until the end of his second term. The luxury gift was expected to be announced during Trump’s Middle East trip, but Qatar’s spokesperson refuted this claim. If Trump accepts the plane, it will be transferred to the US Air Force for configuration and later to his presidential library. Legal advisors have determined that accepting the plane is permissible under the law and not considered bribery.
The approval given by Trump’s associates for him to receive a luxury jet as a gift from Qatar sparked a wave of criticism towards the president. Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer was quick to mock Trump’s “America first” slogan, pointing out the irony of accepting a gift from a foreign state. Other Democratic lawmakers, such as Jamie Raskin and Matt McDermott, emphasized the need for congressional consent when accepting such gifts. The timing of the gift, coinciding with the announcement of a new golf course project in Qatar by the Trump Organization, raised suspicions of bribery. Security experts, including Juliette Kayyem, expressed concerns about the surveillance implications of the gift. Critics, such as CNN analyst Jonathan Reiner and New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, questioned the legality and ethical implications of accepting such a lavish gift. The potential use of the luxury jet by Trump post-presidency raised further ethical concerns about access to modern resources.
