President Donald Trump is under intense fire after confirming his administration is poised to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 aircraft from the Qatari royal family, sparking a political storm over alleged bribery, foreign influence, and legal grey zones.
The aircraft, dubbed a “flying palace” and worth an estimated $400 million, is reportedly being offered as a temporary replacement for the aging Air Force One. ABC News first broke the story Sunday morning, citing multiple sources that confirmed the Trump administration is preparing to accept the jet, pending final approval.
While a Sunday statement from Qatar downplayed the situation, claiming no final decision had been made and denying that the plane was a “gift,” Trump appeared to confirm the deal on his Truth Social platform.
“So the fact that the Defense Department is getting a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft… so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, TOP DOLLAR, for the plane,” he wrote.
The plan, according to ABC, is for the aircraft to be transferred first to the U.S. Air Force, which would refit it for presidential use. Trump would utilize the jet throughout the remainder of his term, and upon leaving office, it would be transferred to his presidential library foundation by January 1, 2029.
The luxury jet is expected to be officially unveiled during Trump’s upcoming Middle East tour, which includes stops in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Trump reportedly toured the plane privately in February while it was parked at Palm Beach International Airport.
Legal Loophole or Constitutional Crisis?
The Trump legal team, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House Counsel David Warrington, claims the gift is permissible. They argue the plane is being donated to the U.S. Air Force, not to Trump directly, and later to his library foundation, which they say skirts federal anti-bribery laws and the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly received legal memos affirming this interpretation. The lawyers involved insist the gift is not contingent on any political favor and thus doesn’t qualify as bribery under U.S. law. Still, critics aren’t buying it.
“Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar,” mocked Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. “It’s not just bribery, it’s premium foreign influence with extra legroom.”
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) slammed the move as unconstitutional, writing on X, “Trump must seek Congress’ consent to take this $300m from Qatar… a gift you use for four years and then deposit in your library is still a gift (and a grift).”
Democratic pollster Matt McDermott pointed to recent Trump Organization dealings in Qatar, including a newly announced $5.5 billion golf resort, as a possible motive. “Today: Qatar ‘gifts’ Trump a luxury jet. Surely just a coincidence,” he said.
Security Concerns and Public Outcry
Beyond accusations of corruption, experts are raising red flags about national security and intelligence vulnerabilities.
Harvard security professor Juliette Kayyem warned of potential surveillance concerns, noting that any aircraft provided by Qatar could be tailored to meet their own security objectives as well. “The surveillance and security aspects are also as disturbing as the grift,” she said.
CNN’s Jonathan Reiner echoed this, writing, “Air Force One is a (checks notes) Air Force plane. A military aircraft. It’s not intended to be a palace because the US doesn’t have a king.”
Veteran journalist Maggie Haberman of The New York Times noted that this may be “the most expensive gift from a foreign government in U.S. history,” adding that it is likely to draw “serious legal questions.”
The controversy comes as Trump seeks to reshape his global image and legacy, with the presidential library now positioned to receive one of the most opulent symbols of power ever gifted to a U.S. leader.
