Former President Donald Trump prepares for a four-day trip to the Middle East. His travel to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates constitutes a large part of that trip. As he takes these first steps in this direction, news reports have started to surface. According to the watchdogs, the unusually extravagant plan that Qatar’s royal family would buy Trump a $400 million luxury jet to be used as Air Force One.
Talks on the potential gift are said to include the Qatari defense ministry and the U.S. Pentagon. A U.S. official with direct knowledge of the situation has confirmed that discussions over the aircraft occurred. These reports have sparked debate among them. They pose intriguing constitutional questions about whether a former federal office holder can accept such a gift.
Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar’s Media Attaché to the U.S., has denied those reports publicly, calling them “false.” He highlighted that any conversations regarding the donation are still in development. In response to the speculation, he stated, “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 U.S. Department of Defense, but the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments, and no decision has been made.”
Senator Adam Schiff from California has already raised the alarm bells on the national security implications of such a gift. He claims Trump knowingly broke Article 1 of the Constitution, which forbids all federal officeholders from accepting gifts from foreign entities without Congressional consent. Schiff commented on the matter, asserting that “Seems pretty clear that a $400 million ‘air palace’ from a foreign emir qualifies” as a clear violation.
In light of these developments, several key Democrats have criticized Trump and his administration for allegedly engaging in corruption and bribery. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer weighed in on the situation, stating, “Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar.”
According to one source with knowledge of the situation, no such announcements are expected to happen before Trump’s visit. Here’s the rub about the alleged gift. This is a developing story. More information about the negotiations between U.S. and Qatari officials is still coming to light.
Leave a Reply