Air Force One is not the personal property of the occupant of the White House, and so the criticisms about Trump enriching himself from a foreign government are out of focus. If Trump survives his presidency, he doesn’t get to take Air Force One home with him. Claims to the contrary appear to be unsubstantiated.
Also, this yet again seems to be more rumor than fact, with denials being issued all around, and in the context of so many false stories circulating of late, the denials carry a bit more weight than they might ordinarily have.
Trump himself, however, has confirmed that the discussions are going on about Qatar supplying the U.S. with a plane to use as Air Force One. He wrote on Truth Social: “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.”
Whether the plane is free or not, Trump shouldn’t accept anything from Qatar. The reason for this is not because it is likely to be filled with surveillance devices. Presumably the Pentagon can handle that, or at least one hopes it would be able to. The main reason for this is that Qatar is a chief supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas, and not a genuine ally of the United States. Whatever happens or doesn’t happen with this plane, is there even a single individual in Washington who has any concern about that at all?
And what will Qatar want, and get, for its “free” plane?
“Qatar says no final decision made on gifting Trump a jet to use as Air Force One,” by Zeke Miller and Will Weissert, AP, May 11, 2025:
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump reportedly is ready to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet as a gift from the ruling family of Qatar during his trip to the Middle East this coming week, and U.S. officials say it could be converted into a potential presidential aircraft.
The Qatari government acknowledged discussions between the two countries about “the possible transfer” of a plane to be used temporarily as Trump’s Air Force One, but denied that the jet “is being gifted” or that a final had been decision made.
ABC News reported that Trump will use the aircraft at his presidential plane until shortly before he leaves office in January 2029, when ownership will be transferred to the foundation overseeing his yet-to-be-built presidential library.
The gift was expected to be announced when Trump visits Qatar, according to ABC’s report, as part of a trip that also includes stops in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the first extended foreign travel of his second term.
But hours after the news, Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar’s media attaché, in a statement said, “Reports that a jet is being gifted by Qatar to the United States government during the upcoming visit of President Trump are inaccurate.”
“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,” the statement said. “But the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments, and no decision has been made.”
Meanwhile, administration officials, anticipating questions about the president accepting such a large gift from a foreign government, have prepared an analysis arguing that doing so would be legal, according to ABC.
The Constitution’s Emoluments Clause bars anyone holding government office from accepting any present, emolument, office or title from any “King, Prince, or foreign State,” without congressional consent.
One expert on government ethics, Kathleen Clark of the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, accused Trump of being “committed to exploiting the federal government’s power, not on behalf of policy goals, but for amassing personal wealth.”
“This is outrageous,” Clark said. “Trump believes he will get away this.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer poked fun at Trump’s “America first” political slogan.
“Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar,” the New York Democrat said in a statement. “It’s not just bribery, it’s premium foreign influence with extra legroom.”…
Statler says
Apparently, president Dump is in the bag now. He should not accept the airplane. Extremely stupid of this bloke.
ploome says
after the Qataris wired up the plane to transmit all discussions on board
I don’t believe this fake news
ploome says
just saw President on TV…..I was wrong. He will accept the plane from Qatar.
Bad move. Qatar spends more to buy a university than to buy a president.
gravenimage says
I’m afraid this is true:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy5ell3gkxvo
Bexarkat says
A 21st century Islamofacist version of a Trojan Horse. “Nay, Neigh,” Mr. President, please look closely in the mouth of this gift horse.
gravenimage says
+1
Westman says
There will be bugs never discovered.
Does anyone remember the US Embassy, built by Soviet workers?
“The most startling find was buried in one of the concrete walls. Shaped like a bow tie, the device was nicknamed “Batwing.” U.S. experts were stunned to find that it was a sophisticated power source that could last 100 years.”
Worth reading, hilarious details, it was finally demolished.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1990/06/18/unbeatable-bugs-the-moscow-embassy-fiasco/5bb6dcbf-0a61-4948-a953-e2d81085ed05/
gravenimage says
Thanks for the link to that story.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
I just wonder one thing. If Trump goes on to enact policies that Qatar doesn’t like, what recourse could they have against him for that “betrayal”? Would they get to ask for their jet back?
A few years ago, there was a healthy break within the islamic world b/w Saudi Arabia & most Arabs on one hand, and the likes of Qatar, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, et al on the other. Right now, it seems that the OIC is united, both against Israel and against India, and in a way that makes them formidable. The last thing we should be doing is empowering that bloc
Nina says
I just hope that at the end of his term, the Democrats don’t send him to prison for this.If sanctions against HTS are lifted as a result, it could happen that Donald Trump will go to prison in four years, even though he now has presidential immunity.
Steven says
Terrible optics.
And what about the security features that Air Force One has compared to a plane offered to the President from a dangerous and hostile regime?
Pray Hard says
He should politely decline the “gift”.
gravenimage says
He should listn to his friend Giuliani, who turned down a check after 9/11 with the rider that NYC deserved to be hit by Jihadists.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Yeah, it’s unfortunate that Giuliani is no longer a part of the President’s inner circle. Actually, while they’re making the lawyers who abused their powers accountable, they need to do something about the New York Bar Association disbarring Rudy, so that he can continue to do his thing at least in other states, such as Florida
Cynthia says
Qatar is an enemy and in league with all who want to destroy western civilization.
I can’t believe Trump is falling for this.
Michael Skok says
Why are you surprised? He also pandered for the Muslim vote in Michigan and Minnesota.
GE says
If the plane came from Qatar, I wouldn’t want to get on it.
Quatar is NOT our friend.
Wellington says
There is no truly good reason for Trump to take this but many bad reasons why he should not.
Don’t do it, Mr. President.
WPM says
There are a million different reasons not to take this “gift” .I can not think of one good reason to take it. Why would I take a plane ,boat , or car from a country whose government under Shira law would want to over throw western society? Any time I use it I would have the fear of being blown up ,sunk ,or falling at fast speed into the ground Beside the optics ,being president I could fly for free on a USA made jet (free of bugs ,or possible death trap devices) to any where I want My god want is he thinking would you eat a meal made by your enemy like that idiot Mohamad ?
STJOHNOFGRAFTON says
No doubt POTUS will have the gift jet swept for bugs, and destructive devices. In Nelson DeMille’s novel, Rivers of Babylon, Pro Palestine terrorists had infiltrated the construction process of an El Al Concorde in France to build explosive devices in the elevator controls so the plane could be forced to land in a terrorist controlled part of the desert and be captured. Maybe pro-Palestine terrorists in Quatar have read the same book and feel inspired.
gravenimage says
Trump hails ‘free’ plane as pro-Hamas Qatar in discussions to supply aircraft for use as Air Force One
………………………………..
Nothing from Islam is free.
Jinx the cat says
If you get something for free, chances are you are the product.
Captain Smirk says
Exodus 23: 8 KJV: ‘And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.’
Stephen says
How do we get Robert Spencer and audience with Trump before this visit to all those countries? Better yet bring alongside.
bill says
The Dems and the MSM will sieze upon anything and any romour to try and make Trump look bad. They do not care if it is found to be unfounded a few days later
Bret says
How did he do that? He won’t be bought by a measly plane. Accepting the gift may be the beginnings of a better relationship. These people know there is a new sheriff in town. Not the pushover that was Biden.
Alkflaeda says
If such an offer is actually or potentially on the table, and if refusal is diplomatically difficult, then:
1) Qatar should be offered a material item item of equal value (NOT a Middle East Studies Department at a US university or the hope of special Presidential access). I’m tempted to suggest a nice jewel encrusted copy of The Critical Qur’an, but that might not be any more diplomatic than a refusal;
2) The plane should not be used until it has been scanned for extra hardware;
3) The old Air Force One should be kept in commission, so that no-one can predict which plane will be used for any given journey;
4) Any additional complimentary offer of Qatari nominated crew or maintenance staff should of course be refused.
It occurs to me that Qatar may be playing a longer game than just trying to buy favour with Mr. Trump – if a new plane goes to a Presidential Library Foundation at the end of Mr. Trump’s term of office, that leaves a potential Presidential aviation gap for Qatar to exploit with his successor, who could be better grooming material than he is.
James Lincoln says
If the United States wants this plane owned by Qatar, it should pay fair market value.
If it is accepted as a gift, Qatar will eventually when something in exchange.