Trump dismisses concerns over Qatari jet that could be new Air Force One – Washington Examiner
Trump dismisses concerns over Qatari jet that could be new Air Force One
President Donald Trump pushed back on Democrats’ concerns over the luxury Qatari jet he may receive from the Middle Eastern country this week, while also revealing that the jet would be “free of charge.”
Reports early Sunday revealed that Trump was expected to receive the super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet, formerly used by the Qatari royal government, from Qatar when he visits the country during his trip to the Middle East. Qatar later said reporting indicating this plane would be a “gift” was “inaccurate,” but maintained that a “possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is currently under consideration.”
Still, Trump referred to the possible transfer of the plane as a “gift” on Sunday night, blasting Democrats for insisting he pay for it.
“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!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Following the initial report of the transfer, Democrats including Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) slammed it as “wildly illegal.”
“This isn’t a good idea even if the plane was being donated to the U.S. government,” Murphy posted on X. “But Trump GETS TO KEEP THE PLANE??? It’s simply a cash payment to Trump in exchange for favors. Just wildly illegal.”
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) also called on the House Oversight Committee to “aggressively investigate” the possible transfer, and Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) sent a letter to various U.S. officials demanding an “immediate” ethics review.
Despite the backlash, the Justice Department has already determined that accepting the jet would not violate the Constitution’s prohibition of any U.S. government official accepting gifts “from any King, Prince or foreign State.” Trump toured the luxury jet earlier this year as he expressed frustration with Boeing for taking so long to finish the promised Air Force One replacements.
The president is set to embark on the first international trip of his second term. He will arrive in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and visit other Middle Eastern countries including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates until May 16.
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