The United States and Qatar are reportedly in talks for a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to be used as Air Force One, courtesy of the Qatari royal family. President Donald Trump defended the deal, calling it a "gift, free of charge" that would save the Defense Department money. However, critics argue that this arrangement violates the Emoluments Clause of the US Constitution, raising concerns about potential corruption and foreign influence.
Qatar's royal family is gifting a $400 million Boeing 747-8 jet to the US for use as Air Force One. - *Controversy:* Critics argue that the deal violates the Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign states without congressional approval. - *Trump's Response:* Trump claims the deal is transparent and cost-saving, accusing Democrats of being "world-class losers" for opposing it. - *Potential Implications:* The arrangement could potentially enrich Trump post-presidency, as the jet would be transferred to his presidential library after his term ends.
00:00Donald Trump has defended a plan for the U.S. to accept a $400 million jumbo jet from Qatar free of charge after Democrats criticized the move as corruption in plain sight.
00:24In a Sunday social media post, the U.S. president said the Department of Defense would receive a Boeing 747-8 from the Gulf State to replace the 40-year-old Air Force One.
00:36Several years have passed since Boeing began manufacturing a replacement plane in the United States.
00:42Trump, who is due to visit Qatar this week, said the plane would be a temporary solution.
00:48News reports on Sunday suggested the aircraft would remain in the U.S. and be donated to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation once the president leaves office,
00:57as well as being a potential violation of the Emoluments Clause in the U.S. Constitution.
01:02Such a gift would probably be the largest by a foreign state or entity to a U.S. president in recent history.
01:08Trump called the move a very public and transparent transaction and accused the Democrats of wanting to pay top dollar for the plane.
01:15Anybody can do that.
01:18ABC News originally reported on the proposed gift.
01:22Qatar confirmed that the possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is currently under consideration,
01:29despite calling the report inaccurate.
01:32Ali Al-Ansari, media attache at Qatar's Washington Embassy, said,
01:37The matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.
01:41The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
01:46Reports of the proposed gift from Qatar provoked criticism, even from some of Trump's most loyal supporters.
01:52Influencer Laura Loomer suggested that the transaction would be such a stain on the administration if this is true,
01:57and describe it as a $400 million gift from jihadists in suits.
