‘Gift, free of charge’: Donald Trump breaks silence on reported Qatari jet deal

Donald Trump has defended the reported plan to accept a luxury jet from the Qatari royal family for use as Air Force One, describing it as a “GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE.” In his first public reaction to the controversy, the US president took to Truth Social on Sunday, accusing Democrats of being outraged over a transparent and cost-saving arrangement.“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,” Trump wrote.Reports first surfaced over the weekend, with ABC News and The New York Times revealing that the Qatari government is in talks with the Pentagon about transferring a Boeing 747-8 to be temporarily used as Air Force One. As per reports, the plan is for the jet to be handed over to Trump’s presidential library at the end of his term in January 2029, allowing him continued access post-presidency.Also read: Qatar says decision to gift Trump super jet not final yet: 'It could be a transfer'While Qatari officials have denied that the aircraft is a personal gift to Trump, describing it instead as a possible “government-to-government” transfer, the deal has prompted a wave of legal and ethical scrutiny. Critics argue it violates the US Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which bars officials from accepting gifts from foreign states without congressional approval.Ethics expert Kathleen Clark said the arrangement was “outrageous,” accusing Trump of using federal power to enrich himself. Democrats have been vocal in their opposition, with Senator Chris Murphy calling the move “wildly illegal” and Representative Kelly Morrison labelling it “corruption in plain sight.” Even Trump ally Laura Loomer voiced concern, warning that accepting such a gift from Qatar, a country with ties to groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, would stain the administration.The White House, however, has reportedly prepared a legal defence, asserting the gift is not unconstitutional since the jet would be accepted by the Pentagon and then transferred to a foundation, never to Trump personally. The administration maintains that there is no exchange of favours, and therefore no bribery involved.Trump is expected to announce the arrangement during his trip to the Middle East this week, which includes stops in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The jet, reportedly worth around $400 million, is similar to one Trump toured in February at Palm Beach International Airport. Though over a decade old, it will be outfitted with secure communications and other upgrades before entering service.(This is a top Google Trends topic)