- By Ajeet Kumar
- Wed, 14 May 2025 01:05 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
As US President Donald Trump voiced a desire to accept a $400 million lavish airplane from Qatar, intelligence experts and government officials said it would pose a significant risk to the security of the American leader, ABC News reported. Trump said on Monday that it would be "stupid" for him to refuse Qatar's offer of the Boeing 747-8 airplane, which would be used as US "Air Force One," the jet American presidents travel on when they fly around the globe. The aircraft eventually would be donated to Trump's presidential library.
"I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer. I mean, I could be a stupid person and say, 'No, we don't want a free, very expensive airplane.' But it was, I thought it was a great gesture," said the US President.
Accepting gifts is a violation of US Constitution: Reed
However, Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, raised concerns over Trump's decision and dubbed the move a "breach of ethical standards". Reed underscored that if the President accepts Qatar's offer, it would be a "clear violation" of the Emoluments Clause, a provision in the US Constitution that prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts or financial benefits from any foreign state without the consent of Congress.
"For President Trump to even consider accepting a luxury plane as a gift from Qatar, a foreign government with its own strategic interests, is an appalling breach of ethical standards. Such a gesture represents a blatant conflict of interest and undermines the integrity of American leadership," he said in a statement released on Monday.
"Even more alarming is the suggestion that this aircraft could be used as Air Force One, which would pose immense counterintelligence risks by granting a foreign nation potential access to sensitive systems and communications. This reckless disregard for national security and diplomatic propriety signals a dangerous willingness to barter American interests for personal gain," he added.
ABC reported, citing sources, that lawyers for the White House counsel's office and the Department of Justice had prepared an analysis concluding that it would be legal and constitutional for the Defence Department to accept the plane as a gift and later transfer it to Trump's presidential library.
Air Force One Security Features
-The current Air Force One fleet consists of two Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets, operational since 1990.
-Despite over 35 years of service, these jets are among the safest and most secure aircraft globally.
-Many security features on Air Force One are classified for protection.
-The jets are equipped with anti-missile defences and countermeasure systems to guard against surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles, with communication devices resilient to a nuclear blast's pulse.
-Air Force One has advanced communications capabilities, enabling the president to securely manage the country and defend against cyberattacks.
Experts raise concerns over US President's safety
John Cohen, an ABC News contributor and former acting Homeland Security official, explained that the president's transport is built to ensure safety from physical attacks while maintaining secure communication with the military, cabinet, and other government leaders. He added that any location or vehicle the president occupies, including an airplane, is a prime target for foreign intelligence services seeking to gather information.
Although Air Force One was inducted into service in 1990, it is still considered one of the safest and secure aircraft in the world. IT has one of the best configurations that enables the US President to survive even a nuclear attack.
Plane poses significant espionage and surveillance problems: Ted Cruz
Besides experts, multiple congressional Republicans raised concerns on Tuesday about President Trump's decision. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz of Texas, a Republican who has long been critical of Qatari foreign policy, told CNBC that he had concerns about such a deal. "The plane poses significant espionage and surveillance problems, so well see how this issue plays out," he said. A White House spokesperson on Monday said details of the gift were still being arranged.
(With inputs from agency)
