(Scypre.com) – President Donald Trump is facing bipartisan scrutiny after reports emerged that Qatar’s royal family has offered to donate a $400 million Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to the U.S. government for temporary use as Air Force One. The aircraft, described as a “palace in the sky,” would serve as the presidential aircraft until new planes are delivered, after which it would be transferred to Trump’s presidential library.
The proposal has sparked immediate backlash from Democratic lawmakers. Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY) has called for an ethics investigation, expressing concern over the constitutionality of accepting such a high-value gift from a foreign government. Torres emphasized that the gift could violate the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign states without congressional approval.
The White House has confirmed that the Qatari government has offered the aircraft, but stated that no final decision has been made. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt assured that any donation would be handled in full compliance with legal requirements and emphasized the administration’s commitment to transparency.
President Trump defended the potential acceptance of the jet, citing delays in Boeing’s delivery of new Air Force One aircraft. He argued that accepting the Qatari jet would be a cost-saving measure for taxpayers. “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,” Trump posted on his social media platform.
Legal experts and ethics watchdogs have raised concerns about the propriety of accepting such a significant gift from a foreign government. The Emoluments Clause is designed to prevent foreign influence over U.S. officials, and accepting the jet could set a precedent for future interactions with foreign entities. The White House has indicated that legal reviews are ongoing to ensure compliance with constitutional provisions.
This situation is reminiscent of previous controversies regarding foreign gifts to U.S. presidents. In 2018, President Trump awarded Boeing a $3.9 billion contract to manufacture two new Air Force One jets, which are now delayed until 2029. The offer from Qatar comes amid these delays, providing a temporary solution for presidential air travel.
As the Trump administration considers the Qatari offer, the debate over constitutional ethics and foreign influence continues. The outcome of this situation could have lasting implications for how the U.S. navigates foreign gifts and the boundaries of presidential authority.