Trump's Air Force One upgrade: Qatar gift stirs controversy
Air Force One, the plane used by the U.S. President, is set to be replaced by a luxurious aircraft, potentially gifted by Qatar. Donald Trump defends the decision, calling it a "very transparent transaction."
What do you need to know?
- Donald Trump may receive a new Air Force One from Qatar's royal family, which has sparked controversy among Democrats.
- The Boeing 747-8, described as a "palace in the sky," would replace the current 40-year-old presidential plane.
- Congress must approve the acceptance of such a gift.
Is the gift from Qatar a "palace in the sky"?
Donald Trump, the former U.S. President, defends the possibility of receiving a new Air Force One from Qatar's royal family. The plane, described as a "palace in the sky," would serve Trump and be handed over to the foundation for Trump's presidential library just before the end of his term, according to NBC News.
According to ABC, if the gift were to be given, it would be the most expensive gift from a foreign country, with the plane estimated to be worth approximately $540 million CAD.
As early as Sunday, many Democratic Party politicians, including former prosecutor and Congressman Daniel Goldman, criticized this information.
Trump himself also addressed the matter, emphasizing on Truth Social that the transaction is transparent. Trump notes that it is a "gift, free of charge."
What are the Democrats' reactions?
Democrats have expressed their concerns about the potential gift. Chuck Schumer, the Senate Minority Leader, commented: "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."
According to the U.S. Constitution, the president must obtain congressional approval to accept a gift from a foreign country.
What does the U.S. Constitution say?
It would certainly also trigger legal controversy. The U.S. Constitution states that "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."
Critics of Trump invoked this clause during his first term, arguing that Trump violated it when delegations from other countries stayed at his properties during visits.
Nevertheless, Attorney General Pam Bondi—who has previously lobbied for Qatar—and Trump's chief lawyer in the White House, David Warrington, concluded that the gift would be "legally permissible" if the transfer of the plane is contingent upon its ownership being passed to the Trump presidential library before the end of his term, sources familiar with their findings claim.
During Trump's first term, his administration placed orders with Boeing for aircraft to serve as Air Force One, but the company has several years of delays in their delivery, often causing frustration expressed by Trump. Currently, the company plans to deliver the first 747 plane adapted to presidential requirements in 2027, although the original deadline was 2022.
