US President Donald Trump is facing mounting legal and ethical pressure after reports emerged that his administration is preparing to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 aircraft from the Qatari royal family, potentially as a temporary replacement for the aging Air Force One. The action has triggered constitutional red flags and political criticism, particularly from Democratic lawmakers and good governance proponents. According to sources, US President Donald Trump's administration intends to accept a Boeing 747-8 plane as a gift from the Qatari royal family that would be outfitted to serve as Air Force One. The 400 million USD plane, referred to as a "flying palace," would be equipped for presidential use in the event of a second term for Trump and ultimately donated to his presidential library.

Trump, on a Truth Social post, came to the defense of the suggested deal, terming it a "transparent transaction" and attributing blame to Democrats for "insisting we pay top dollar" for a replacement plane. He maintained that the gift was for official use, not for personal enrichment. He said "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"

 

What The US Constitution Says

US Constitution, Article I, Section 9, Clause 8, which explicitly forbids federal officials, including the President, from receiving presents from foreign nations without Congress's express approval. Under the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act, gifts worth less than $480 can be accepted without approval from Congress. Anything over that amount must either be turned over to the US government or approved by lawmakers.

US representative for D-Maryland Jamie Raskin said Trump must seek Congress’ consent to take this $300 million gift from Qatar. The Constitution is perfectly clear: no present “of any kind whatever” from a foreign state without Congressional permission."

"A gift you use for four years and then deposit in your library is still a gift (and a grift)," he added.

With growing criticism, Qatar has attempted to distance itself from the narrative. “The possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is currently under consideration between Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense," said Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar’s media attache to Washington, stressing that no decision had been made.

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This follows after significant delays in delivering two 747-8 planes that Boeing has been modifying to be the new Air Force One fleet. The plane the Qataris are offering is reportedly over 10 years old; a new Boeing 747-8 costs around $400 million. The planes were originally set to be delivered in 2024. But a subcontractor went bankrupt, and the coronavirus pandemic disrupted production, forcing Boeing to push back delivery to 2027 and 2028.

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