Trump to accept US$400mil jet from Qatar for use as Air Force One
The lavish Qatari-owned Boeing jet has been described as a 'flying palace'. (AP pic)
WASHINGTON : Donald Trump plans to accept a luxury Boeing jet from the Qatari royal family for use as Air Force One and then continue flying in it after his tenure, despite strict rules on US presidential gifts, media reported yesterday.
Calling the plane a 'flying palace', ABC News, which first reported the story, said the Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet would possibly be the most expensive gift ever received by the American government.
Qatar swiftly sought to downplay the uproar, saying reports describing the jet as a gift 'are inaccurate'.
'The possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is currently under consideration between Qatar's ministry of defence and the US department of defence,' said Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar's media attache to Washington, stressing that no decision had been made.
The US constitution prohibits government officials from accepting gifts 'from any king, prince or foreign state', in a section known as the emoluments clause.
But Trump would skirt the law by handing the jet to his presidential library after he leaves office.
The plan is to be announced as Trump travels to three Middle East countries this week, including Qatar, reported ABC and The New York Times.
Acceptance of the gift has raised ethical questions from both sides of the political aisle as it appears to flout laws set up to stanch government corruption.
Laura Loomer, a far-right ally of Trump, said accepting Qatar's plane would be a 'stain' on the administration.
'We cannot accept a $400 million 'gift' from jihadists in suits,' she posted on X.
'The Qataris fund the same Iranian proxies in Hamas and Hezbollah who have murdered US Service Members.'
The White House and department of justice, however, believe the gift is legal and not a bribe because it is not given in exchange for any particular favour or action, sources told ABC.
And it is not unconstitutional, they say, because it will first be passed to the US air force before being turned over to the presidential library, thereby never being gifted to an individual.
The White House did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.
The Democratic national committee said the move was proof of Trump using the White House for personal financial gain.
'While working families brace for higher costs and empty shelves, Trump is still focusing on enriching himself and his billionaire backers,' the DNC said in an email to supporters.
Multiple Democratic lawmakers blasted the plan.
Senator Chris Murphy called it 'wildly illegal', while representative Kelly Morrison said such a gift amounts to 'corruption in plain sight' and an unethical 'bribe' forbidden by the US constitution.
Trump reportedly toured the Qatari-owned jet in February when it was parked at the Palm Beach International Airport.
The US president has long been unhappy with the Air Force One jets – two highly customised Boeing 747-200B series aircraft.
Earlier this year Trump said his administration was 'looking at alternatives' to Boeing following delays in the delivery of two new models.
The aerospace giant agreed in 2018 to supply two 747-8 aircraft by the end of 2024 for US$3.9 billion – both ready to transport whoever occupied the White House at that time.
But a subcontractor went bankrupt and the coronavirus pandemic disrupted production, forcing Boeing to push back delivery to 2027 and 2028.
Although the plane the Qataris are offering is reportedly over 10 years old, a new Boeing 747-8 costs around US$400 million, experts said.
The aircraft must additionally be outfitted with extensive communications and security upgrades before it becomes Air Force One.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Khamenei says Trump ‘exaggerated' impact of US strikes on nuclear sites
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei hailed his country's 'victory' over Israel and vowed never to surrender to the US. (EPA Images pic) TEHRAN : Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said today that the US President Donald Trump 'exaggerated' the impact of US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, in his first appearance since a ceasefire in the war with Israel took hold. In a statement and a televised speech carried by state media, he hailed his country's 'victory' over Israel and vowed never to surrender to the US, while claiming that Washington had been dealt a 'slap' after striking Iranian nuclear sites. Khamenei's remarks come two days after a ceasefire ended a 12-day war between Iran and Israel, the foes' deadliest and most destructive confrontation in history. It also follows a stinging row in the US over the actual extent of the damage inflicted by American strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites during the conflict. 'The American president exaggerated events in unusual ways, and it turned out that he needed this exaggeration,' Khamenei said. The US 'has gained nothing from this war,' he said, adding that American strikes 'did nothing significant' to Iran's nuclear facilities. 'The Islamic republic won, and in retaliation dealt a severe slap to the face of America,' he said, a reference to Iran's missile launch targeting the largest US base in the Middle East. 'I want to congratulate the great Iranian nation… for its victory over the fallacious Zionist regime,' he added, claiming that Israel had 'almost collapsed' because of Iran's strikes. Both Iran and Israel had already claimed they won, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailing on Tuesday a 'historic victory' for Israel. US defence In the US, leaked intelligence this week opened up a Pandora's box of accusations and counter-claims over the extent of the damage caused by the strikes. Later today, US defense secretary Pete Hegseth is due to offer a fresh assessment of the attacks. After waves of Israeli attacks on nuclear and military sites and retaliatory missile fire from Iran since June 13, the US bombed three key Iranian atomic facilities. An initial classified assessment, first reported by CNN, was said to have concluded that the strikes did not destroy key components and that Iran's nuclear programme was set back only months at most. Another key question raised by experts is whether Iran, preparing for the strike, moved out some 400kg of enriched uranium – which could now be hidden elsewhere in the vast country. The US administration has hit back furiously, with Trump saying the attack 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear facilities, including the key site of Fordo buried inside a mountain, and that it had set the programme back by 'decades'. Trump said that Hegseth, whom he dubbed 'war' secretary, would hold a news conference at 12am today to 'fight for the dignity of our great American pilots'. CIA chief John Ratcliffe said in a statement yesterday that 'several key Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed and would have to be rebuilt over the course of years'. The Israeli military said it had delivered a 'significant' blow to Iran's nuclear sites but that it was 'still early' to fully assess the damage. Netanyahu announced that 'we have thwarted Iran's nuclear project'. 'And if anyone in Iran tries to rebuild it, we will act with the same determination, with the same intensity, to foil any attempt,' he said. Nuclear talks? Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told Al Jazeera that 'nuclear installations have been badly damaged, that's for sure'. After the war derailed nuclear talks between Iran and the US, Trump said Washington would hold discussions with Tehran next week, with his special envoy Steve Witkoff expressing hope 'for a comprehensive peace agreement'. Trump told reporters that Israel and Iran were 'both tired, exhausted', before going on to say that talks were planned with Iran next week. 'We may sign an agreement. I don't know,' he added. Iran has systematically denied seeking a nuclear weapon while defending its 'legitimate rights' to the peaceful use of atomic energy. It has also said it was willing to return to nuclear negotiations with Washington. The Israeli strikes on Iran killed at least 627 civilians, Tehran's health ministry said. Iran's attacks on Israel killed 28 people, according to official figures. A state funeral will be held on Saturday in Tehran for top commanders and nuclear scientists killed in the war.
Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
India, US trade talks face roadblocks ahead of tariff deadline
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump had agreed to expand trade to US$500 billion by 2030. (EPA Images pic) NEW DELHI : Trade talks between India and the US have hit a roadblock over disagreements on import duties for auto components, steel and farm goods, Indian officials with direct knowledge said, dashing hopes of reaching a deal ahead of President Donald Trump's July 9 deadline to impose reciprocal tariffs. The deadlock marks a sharp shift from earlier optimism, following Trump's claim that New Delhi had proposed a 'no tariffs' agreement for American goods, and officials from both sides suggesting India could be among the first countries to strike a deal on the new US tariffs. India is pushing for a rollback of the proposed 26% reciprocal tariff set to take effect on July 9, along with concessions on existing US tariffs on steel and auto parts. However, US negotiators have not yet agreed to the demands, three Indian government officials told Reuters. 'The US side first wants India to commit to deeper import tariff cuts on farm goods like soybeans and corn, cars and alcoholic beverages along with easing of non-tariff barriers, leading to disagreement between the two sides,' one of the sources said. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the confidentiality of the ongoing discussions. India's commerce ministry, the US Embassy in New Delhi and the US trade representative office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. An Indian delegation is expected to travel to Washington before the deadline, although discussions may now focus on a broader agreement rather than a rushed interim deal, a second Indian government source said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to position India as a key US partner, seeking to attract US firms like Apple, diversifying supply chains away from China. However, trade talks have struggled to make headway. 'We are keen, but not desperate to sign a deal before the July 9 deadline,' the first source said, adding that India has offered tariff cuts on almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and was willing to extend preferential treatment for American imports in sectors like energy, autos and defence. 'There hasn't been much progress despite several rounds of talks,' the second source said. Still, the sources did not rule out a last-minute breakthrough if Modi and Trump choose to intervene directly. Long term partnership Despite the impasse, Indian officials stress long-term commitment to the US as a trusted economic partner, while maintaining policy independence. Modi and Trump agreed in February to conclude the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement by autumn 2025 and to expand trade to US$500 billion by 2030, from about US$191 billion in 2024. India is also advancing talks with the EU for a free trade pact later this year, and recently concluded talks for a FTA with the UK – moves aimed at hedging against potential US policy shifts under Trump. 'The ball is now in the US court. India is not for any win-lose trade partnership,' said Ram Singh, head of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, a government funded think-tank. Even in a worst-case scenario, a third official said, India could absorb the impact of reciprocal tariffs, citing its continued tariff advantage over competitors like Vietnam and China. India's exports to the US rose to US$17.25 billion in April-May, up from US$14.17 billion a year earlier, suggesting the US tariff hikes averaging 10% in early April had a limited impact.
Malay Mail
5 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Khamenei claims Trump exaggerated impact of US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, declares victory over Israel and warns of retaliation
TEHRAN, June 26 — Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday said US President Donald Trump 'exaggerated' the impact of US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, in his first appearance since a ceasefire in the war with Israel took hold. In a statement and a televised speech carried by state media, he hailed his country's 'victory' over Israel and vowed never to surrender to the United States, while claiming that Washington had been dealt a 'slap' after striking Iranian nuclear sites. Khamenei's remarks come two days after a ceasefire ended a 12-day war between Iran and Israel, the foes' deadliest and most destructive confrontation in history. It also follows a stinging row in the United States over the actual extent of the damage inflicted by American strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites during the conflict. 'The American president exaggerated events in unusual ways, and it turned out that he needed this exaggeration,' Khamenei said. The United States 'has gained nothing from this war,' he said, adding that American strikes 'did nothing significant' to Iran's nuclear facilities. 'The Islamic republic won, and in retaliation dealt a severe slap to the face of America,' he said, a reference to Iran's missile launch targeting the largest US base in the Middle East. 'I want to congratulate the great Iranian nation... for its victory over the fallacious Zionist regime,' he added, claiming that Israel had 'almost collapsed' because of Iran's strikes. Both Iran and Israel had already claimed they won, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailing on Tuesday a 'historic victory' for Israel. US defence In the United States, leaked intelligence this week opened up a Pandora's box of accusations and counter-claims over the extent of the damage caused by the strikes. Later on Thursday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is due to offer a fresh assessment of the attacks. After waves of Israeli attacks on nuclear and military sites and retaliatory missile fire from Iran since June 13, the United States bombed three key Iranian atomic facilities. An initial classified assessment, first reported by CNN, was said to have concluded that the strikes did not destroy key components and that Iran's nuclear programme was set back only months at most. Another key question raised by experts is whether Iran, preparing for the strike, moved out some 400 kilograms of enriched uranium — which could now be hidden elsewhere in the vast country. The US administration has hit back furiously, with Trump saying the attack 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear facilities, including the key site of Fordo buried inside a mountain, and that it had set the programme back by 'decades'. Trump said that Hegseth, whom he dubbed 'war' secretary, would hold a news conference at 8am (8pm Malaysian time) on Thursday to 'fight for the dignity of our great American pilots'. CIA chief John Ratcliffe said in a statement on Wednesday that 'several key Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed and would have to be rebuilt over the course of years'. The Israeli military said it had delivered a 'significant' blow to Iran's nuclear sites but that it was 'still early' to fully assess the damage. Netanyahu announced that 'we have thwarted Iran's nuclear project'. 'And if anyone in Iran tries to rebuild it, we will act with the same determination, with the same intensity, to foil any attempt,' he said. Nuclear talks? Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told Al Jazeera that 'nuclear installations have been badly damaged, that's for sure'. After the war derailed nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, Trump said Washington would hold discussions with Tehran next week, with his special envoy Steve Witkoff expressing hope 'for a comprehensive peace agreement'. Trump told reporters that Israel and Iran were 'both tired, exhausted', before going on to say that talks were planned with Iran next week. 'We may sign an agreement. I don't know,' he added. Iran has systematically denied seeking a nuclear weapon while defending its 'legitimate rights' to the peaceful use of atomic energy. It has also said it was willing to return to nuclear negotiations with Washington. The Israeli strikes on Iran killed at least 627 civilians, Tehran's health ministry said. Iran's attacks on Israel killed 28 people, according to official figures. A state funeral will be held on Saturday in Tehran for top commanders and nuclear scientists killed in the war. — AFP
