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Free Malaysia Today
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
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.
The Independent
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Qatar pushes back on reports of $400M Boeing jet gift to Trump
Qatari officials have described reports that the country's royal family is gifting a $400 million Boeing jet to President Donald Trump as 'inaccurate.' ABC News reported Sunday that the plane would be available to President Donald Trump to use as the new Air Force One until shortly before his departure, at which point it will be transferred to the foundation responsible for the Trump presidential library. The president has made it no secret that he is tired of waiting for Boeing to produce a new Air Force One to replace the current planes, two modified 747-200 jumbo jets known by the model number VC-25A, which date from 1990. Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar's Media Attaché to the US, told Politico that the deal involving the plane had yet to be finalized. '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,' Al-Ansari said. In February, Trump said he was 'not happy' with the slow progress and cost overruns on the new presidential aircraft, which were ordered in 2018, during his first term. The Wall Street Journal first reported that the federal government is hiring defense contractor L3Harris to refurbish a Boeing 747 previously used by the Qatari government. It now appears that the plane will be gifted to the U.S. next week during Trump's first official foreign trip, barring the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome. ABC's report cites sources that are familiar with the arrangements. Trump toured the plane in February when it was parked at Palm Beach International Airport. It is said to be so opulently configured that it has been referred to as a 'flying palace.' The president hit out at those who were critical of the gift in a post on TruthSocial. '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.' Meanwhile, the arrangement has set off alarm bells about the legality of accepting such a valuable gift from a foreign government under the Constitution's emoluments clause. The clause prohibits any government official from accepting gifts from 'any King, Prince or foreign State.' Qatar is a U.S. ally and major diplomatic force in the Middle East. Sources told ABC News that lawyers for the White House counsel's office and the Department of Justice drafted an analysis for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that concluded it is legal for the Department of Defense to accept the aircraft as a gift and later turn it over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation. They claim it does not violate bribery laws as it is not conditioned on any official act and is not being given to an individual, but rather to the Air Force and then the Trump library. Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House lawyer David Warrington said it would be 'legally permissible' for the donation of the aircraft to be conditioned on transferring its ownership to Trump's presidential library before the end of his term, and not the president, personally, the sources told the network. They said Bondi provided a legal memorandum on the matter to the White House counsel's office last week after her advice was sought on the legalities of the gift. Nevertheless, Democrats and even Trump's far-right ally Laura Loomer have condemned the reported arrangement. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on X: 'Nothing says 'America First' like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar. It's not just bribery, it's premium foreign influence with extra legroom.' There were similar allegations from others on social media. Axios reports that Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York wrote to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the acting Department of Defense inspector general, and the Office of Government Ethics requesting a probe into the matter. The Democratic National Committee called it Trump's 'latest grift.' Loomer also posted her disapproval: 'I love President Trump. I would take a bullet for him. But, I have to call a spade a spade. We cannot accept a $400 million 'gift' from jihadists in suits.' 'The Qataris fund the same Iranian proxies in Hamas and Hezbollah who have murdered U.S. Service Members. The same proxies that have worked with the Mexican cartels to get jihadists across our border,' she continued, pushing a far-right conspiracy theory. 'This is really going to be such a stain on the admin if this is true. And I say that as someone who would take a bullet for Trump. I'm so disappointed.' Any aircraft used to transport the president must meet strict U.S. military specifications, and so the 13-year-old plane will initially be transferred to the Air Force for modifications. The full scope of modifications is unknown, but existing planes include radiation shielding, a variety of communications systems, and anti-missile technology. Notably, neither the Qatari plane nor the upcoming VC-25B aircraft being built by Boeing will have the air-to-air refueling capabilities of the current presidential plane, allowing it to stay airborne essentially indefinitely and with unlimited range. Once modified, Trump will be able to use the aircraft until January 1, 2029, when it will be transferred to the library, less than three weeks before his term ends. The Air Force will pay for any costs relating to its transfer, the sources told ABC News. Boeing estimated that the new Air Force One planes currently on order will not be ready until 2029. Trump asked Elon Musk to work with them on the project, and an updated timeline of 2027 was given, though the president was insistent that he wants a new plane this year. Trump will make his first official foreign trip of his second term this coming week, visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The focus will be on 'economic agreements.' The Trump Organization, run by the president's two eldest sons, has growing interests in the Middle East. An ethics agreement released by the company in January forbids deals with foreign governments but allows those with private companies.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Qatar calls reports of upcoming jet gift to Trump 'inaccurate'
Qatar on Sunday denied reports that the Trump administration is preparing to accept a luxury jet from the country's royal family. ABC News reported earlier Sunday that a super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet would become available for President Donald Trump as Air Force One and then donated to his presidential library foundation so he could use it after leaving office. But Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar's Media Attaché to the U.S., told POLITICO the reports 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 U.S. Department of Defense, but the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments, and no decision has been made,' he said. The aircraft in question is worth $400 million, ABC reported, and was set to be announced during Trump's upcoming visit to the Middle East. A person familiar with the situation said no announcement is planned for Trump's visit. Trump will soon depart for a four-day trip to the Middle East, with stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. A U.S. official with direct knowledge of the plan confirmed there had been talks about the emir of Qatar gifting the plane to Trump to use as Air Force One. And a former U.S. official familiar with the situation said the talks involved the Qatari defense ministry and the Pentagon. Both were provided anonymity because they're not authorized to speak about the issue, which is sensitive. Citing the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, some key Democrats pounced on the report Sunday, accusing Trump and his administration of engaging in corruption and bribery. 'Nothing says 'America First' like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar,' wrote Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in a post on X. 'It's not just bribery, it's premium foreign influence with extra legroom.' Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), a frequent target of the president's ire, accused Trump of violating that clause (in Article 1 of the Constitution), which bars any federal government office holders from accepting any 'present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state,' absent Congressional approval. 'Seems pretty clear that a $400 million 'air palace' from a foreign emir qualifies,' he wrote on X. 'The corruption is brazen.'
CBS News
11-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Qatar to donate a jumbo jet for Trump's exclusive use as a presidential plane, sources say
Washington — The royal family of Qatar is donating a jumbo jet for President Trump's exclusive use as a presidential plane, sources told CBS News. ABC News first reported the gift, which comes as Mr. Trump heads to Qatar as part of his first international trip of his second term. But the plane, a 747-8, won't be ready to serve as Air Force One quite yet, and Mr. Trump won't be using it to fly back to the U.S. from the Middle East. The plane needs to be checked for security and spying devices before it is accepted, one of the sources told CBS News. The plane will be donated to the future Trump presidential library shortly before he leaves office. Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar's Media Attaché to the U.S., confirmed to CBS News that the possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is under consideration between Qatar's Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense, but the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments, and no decision has been made. But Al-Ansar said reports that the plane will be gifted during this trip are "inaccurate." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Sunday that "any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws. President Trump's Administration is committed to full transparency." Qatar has also offered to donate a plane to the Department of Defense, but the gift will not be donated or accepted during this trip to Qatar, a U.S. official said. The president is departing Monday on his first major foreign trip of his second term, set to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on the four-day visit. Leavitt said Friday that the trip will focus on "strengthening ties between our nations," citing Mr. Trump's first trip in 2017 to the Middle East, where he "introduced his bold peace-through-strength foreign policy strategy." "Now, eight years later, President Trump will return to re-emphasize his continued vision for a proud, prosperous and successful Middle East, where the United States and Middle Eastern nations are in cooperative relationships, and where extremism is defeated in place of commerce and cultural exchanges," Leavitt said. Qatar's Media Attaché to the U.S., Ali Al-Ansari, disputed reports, saying in a statement that 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," while noting that "the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments, and no decision has been made." contributed to this report.
