Trump Faces Backlash Over Potential $400 Million Qatari Jet Gift

Reports indicate the administration is considering a proposal that would allow the U.S. to use the luxury aircraft as Air Force One before transferring ownership to the Trump presidential library foundation upon the president's departure from office. Legal analysts within the administration reportedly argue the gift is permissible, yet critics warn it mirrors a direct bribe. Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen, described the plan as a textbook constitutional violation, noting that the arrangement effectively serves as a massive personal asset transfer under the guise of state property.

While the White House, Boeing, and L3Harris have remained silent, Ali Al-Ansari, a spokesperson for the Qatari Embassy, clarified that no final decision has been reached, stating that the transfer is still under review by defense departments. The controversy is further fueled by the timing of the proposal, which follows a recent business deal between the Trump Organization and a Qatari-owned firm to develop a luxury golf resort. Lawmakers, including Representative Greg Casar, have condemned the optics of the move, particularly as domestic aviation infrastructure faces significant operational challenges.