Qatar Denies Reports of a $400M Boeing Jet Gift
The Qatar Boeing jet gift Trump saga took a dramatic turn on May 12, 2025, as Qatari officials pushed back against reports that the royal family was set to gift a $400 million Boeing 747-8 to President Donald Trump. The story broke on May 11, 2025, when ABC News reported that the luxury jet, dubbed a “flying palace,” would serve as a temporary Air Force One during Trump’s second term and later be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation. However, Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar’s Media Attaché to the U.S., told POLITICO the reports were “inaccurate,” stating, “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.” This denial came just before Trump’s Middle East trip, which includes a stop in Qatar, starting May 13, 2025.
The jet, a 13-year-old Boeing 747-8 previously used by the Qatari government, was toured by Trump in February 2025 at Palm Beach International Airport. Reports suggested it would replace the aging Air Force One fleet—two modified Boeing 747-200 jets from 1990—amid delays in Boeing’s $3.9 billion contract to deliver new presidential aircraft, now pushed to 2027. The Qatari jet, valued at $400 million, would be retrofitted by L3Harris Technologies to meet presidential security standards, but its opulent features, including a bedroom suite and marble-clad bathrooms, have drawn scrutiny for their extravagance. Qatar’s clarification has left the deal’s status uncertain, but the controversy surrounding it continues to grow.

Ethical Concerns and Political Backlash
The Qatar Boeing jet gift Trump reports have sparked widespread ethical and legal concerns, particularly around the U.S. Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officeholders from accepting gifts from foreign governments without Congressional approval. Democratic lawmakers and ethics experts have labeled the potential gift as a blatant violation. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer posted 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.” Senator Adam Schiff echoed this, noting on X that a “$400 million ‘air palace’ from a foreign emir” clearly qualifies as an emolument.
Representative Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, emphasized on X that Trump must seek Congress’ consent, calling it a “farcically corrupt” move. Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York wrote to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, requesting an immediate ethics review, labeling the jet a “flying grift.” Even some Trump supporters, like conservative activist Laura Loomer, expressed unease on X, stating, “We cannot accept a $400 million ‘gift’ from jihadists in suits.” The backlash highlights fears of foreign influence, especially given Qatar’s role in Middle Eastern diplomacy and the Trump Organization’s recent $5.5 billion golf resort deal in Qatar, announced days before the jet reports surfaced.
Trump defended the potential gift on Truth Social on May 11, 2025, calling it a “very public and transparent transaction” and framing it as a cost-saving move for the U.S., since the Defense Department would receive the jet “free of charge.” White House lawyers, alongside Attorney General Pam Bondi, argue the gift is legal because it’s a government-to-government transaction, not a personal gift to Trump, and will eventually go to his library foundation. However, critics like Robert Weissman of Public Citizen argue this loophole—allowing gifts to presidential libraries—sets a dangerous precedent, stating, “It makes clear that U.S. foreign policy under Donald Trump is up for sale.”
Broader Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy
The Qatar Boeing jet gift Trump controversy raises questions about the intersection of Trump’s business interests and foreign policy. Qatar, a U.S. ally and mediator in Middle Eastern conflicts, has been accused of funding groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, which some, including Loomer on X, cite as a reason to reject the gift. Yet, Qatar’s strategic importance—hosting the largest U.S. military base in the region—complicates the narrative. The timing of the golf resort deal suggests Qatar may be seeking favor, especially as Trump’s administration pushes for lower tariffs and regional stability during his Middle East tour.
The jet’s potential use as Air Force One also highlights broader issues with the presidential aircraft program. Boeing’s delays, exacerbated by cost overruns, have frustrated Trump since his first term. The current Air Force One jets lack the advanced security features needed for modern threats, like protection against missile attacks or nuclear shockwaves. While the Qatari jet offers a temporary solution, experts warn it won’t match the capabilities of a fully customized Air Force One, raising security concerns. Posts on X reflect mixed sentiment, with some users sarcastically noting the deal’s optics, like one stating, “Qataris just really like Trump and wanted to show it with a 400M jet—nothing to do with his new luxury golf resort in Qatar.”
What’s Next for the Qatar Jet Deal?
As of May 12, 2025, the Qatar Boeing jet gift Trump deal remains unresolved, with Qatar emphasizing that no final decision has been made. The controversy is likely to intensify when Congress returns next week, with Democrats pushing for oversight. The debate underscores a larger issue: the lack of transparency in presidential gifts and the influence of foreign governments on U.S. leaders. Whether Trump will ultimately fly on the “flying palace” remains uncertain, but the ethical questions it raises will linger
See also https://scoopusa24.com/china-tariffs-2025-us-trade-deal-switzerland/