Trump defends new Air Force One gift from Qatar amid legal concerns

Trump calls Qatar’s Boeing 747-8 a “flying palace” as Democrats and ethics experts raise alarm over emoluments clause violations.

US President Donald Trump disembarks from Air Force One upon arriving at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on May 4, 2025, returning to the White House after a weekend in Florida. Photo by Saul Loeb/AFP

By Clarisa Sendy and Anna Fadiah

Former President Donald Trump on Sunday defended his plan to receive a new Air Force One jet from Qatar, a move that has triggered widespread ethical and legal concerns due to U.S. constitutional limits on gifts from foreign governments. The proposed gift, a Boeing 747-8 aircraft worth approximately $400 million, has been described by Trump as a “flying palace” and is raising red flags among lawmakers and legal experts about whether it violates the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Trump, who is seeking a second term in the 2024 election, took to his social media platform to characterize the arrangement as a “transparent transaction.” He emphasized that the plane would not be for personal use but would instead be temporarily assigned to the U.S. Department of Defense before eventually being turned over to his future presidential library.

However, critics say the plan amounts to a blatant attempt to bypass legal restrictions that prohibit U.S. officials from accepting gifts from foreign states without congressional approval. The controversy adds another layer to existing concerns about Trump’s use of his political position to benefit his personal and business interests.

A controversial ‘gift’ from a strategic ally

The story was first reported by ABC News, which revealed that the Qatari royal family is offering the Boeing jumbo jet as a gift to the U.S. government, specifically for use as a new Air Force One. The report described the aircraft as potentially “the most expensive gift ever accepted” by the federal government, sparking an immediate backlash from across the political spectrum.

Qatar, a close military and economic partner of the United States, has since issued a statement refuting the characterization of the plane as a gift. Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar’s media attaché in Washington, said that the possible transfer of the aircraft is “under consideration” between Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense, and that no final decision has been made.

Nonetheless, the optics of a luxury aircraft being gifted by a foreign monarchy to an American political figure — particularly one embroiled in multiple investigations and ongoing litigation — have prompted renewed scrutiny of Trump's dealings with international actors.

Constitutional gray area and public backlash

At the center of the dispute is the Constitution’s emoluments clause, which explicitly prohibits any U.S. officeholder from accepting gifts, payments, or other benefits from foreign states without the consent of Congress. While Trump claims the gift is not for him personally, ethics experts argue that routing the plane through the Pentagon or a future presidential library does little to sanitize the legal and moral implications.

Senator Chris Murphy called the move “wildly illegal,” arguing that such a gift — regardless of how it is ultimately transferred — amounts to a flagrant violation of ethical norms. Representative Kelly Morrison echoed the sentiment, stating the gesture was “corruption in plain sight.”

Even some on the far-right voiced concern. Laura Loomer, a staunch Trump ally and conspiracy theorist, condemned the plan, calling it “a stain on the administration.” She warned against accepting what she described as a "$400 million gift from jihadists in suits," referring to Qatar’s alleged financial ties to extremist groups.

The White House and DOJ defend the move

According to sources speaking to ABC News, the White House and the Department of Justice are not treating the aircraft offer as a bribe or violation of federal law. Officials reportedly believe that as long as the plane is not given directly to Trump and instead goes through formal U.S. government channels before being assigned to a library, it remains within legal boundaries.

Still, watchdog groups and constitutional scholars argue the plan violates the spirit — if not the letter — of the law. Walter Shaub, former director of the Office of Government Ethics, said the arrangement is “an obvious end-run around constitutional safeguards.”

“This is precisely why the emoluments clause exists — to prevent any foreign influence on U.S. policy or officials through extravagant gifts,” he said.

Boeing’s troubled contract and Trump’s dissatisfaction

Trump’s defense of the Air Force One gift also coincides with his long-standing dissatisfaction with Boeing, the U.S. aerospace giant contracted to build two new Air Force One jets under a 2018 deal worth $3.9 billion. The contract, agreed during Trump’s presidency, has been plagued by production delays, pandemic-related setbacks, and the bankruptcy of a key subcontractor.

The original timeline called for delivery of the two Boeing 747-8 aircraft by the end of 2024, but those dates have since been pushed back to 2027 and 2028. Frustrated with the delays, Trump has repeatedly criticized Boeing and hinted at alternative options — including acquiring a different aircraft, such as the one now reportedly offered by Qatar.

The Qatari jet is more than 10 years old but could be refitted with advanced communications and security systems to meet Air Force One requirements. According to aviation experts, retrofitting a plane of this kind would still take years and cost hundreds of millions in taxpayer funds.

A broader pattern of ethical concerns

This is not the first time Trump has faced criticism for alleged misuse of public office for personal gain. During his first term, he was repeatedly accused of steering government spending to properties owned by the Trump Organization, including hosting summits and diplomatic events at his hotels and golf clubs.

The new controversy over the Qatar jet revives concerns that Trump’s private interests continue to intertwine with public responsibilities — a theme that has dogged his presidency and post-presidency era.

The Democratic National Committee issued a scathing statement condemning the move as further proof of Trump’s self-serving priorities.

“While working families struggle with rising costs, Trump remains focused on enriching himself and his billionaire friends,” the DNC wrote in an email to supporters.

International tour and policy implications

Reports suggest that Trump will formally announce the proposed aircraft transfer during a trip this week to the Middle East, where he is expected to visit Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The trip is being billed as a diplomatic mission, but the timing of the jet announcement is likely to dominate headlines.

Foreign policy analysts say the optics of accepting a high-value aircraft from a Gulf monarchy — especially one frequently criticized for human rights abuses — may damage U.S. credibility on the global stage and could complicate bilateral relations with other allies.

Whether or not the plane is ultimately accepted, the controversy has already sparked a fresh wave of political debate around the boundaries of presidential power, transparency, and the role of money in politics.

As Trump continues to consolidate support for another White House bid, questions surrounding the Air Force One gift from Qatar are likely to remain a central theme in discussions about ethics, accountability, and the rule of law.