Washington, D.C.: The Trump administration has accepted a Boeing 747 jetliner gifted by Qatar, sparking sharp bipartisan criticism and concerns about national security.
The Pentagon has been tasked with assessing how quickly the plane can be retrofitted for possible use as a new Air Force One, though the aircraft requires extensive modifications before it can safely transport the president.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the acceptance, stating that, “The secretary of defense has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar by all federal rules and regulations. The Department of Defense will work to ensure proper security measures and functional mission requirements are considered for an aircraft used to transport the president.”
The gift, arranged during President Trump’s recent visit to the Middle East, includes a jet that lacks critical presidential security features such as missile defense systems, secure communications, and protection against electromagnetic pulses. Pentagon officials warn that upgrading the plane could take years.
The US Constitution has a provision known as the Emoluments Clause, which prohibits gifts to public officials from foreign governments without permission of Congress. The transfer has not received congressional approval.
The president has argued that the plane transfer is legal because it is being given to the US defense department, and not to him personally. He also insisted he would not use it after leaving office.
Congressional leaders from both parties have voiced alarm. Some lawmakers worry that the process may be rushed, risking security gaps. Others question Qatar’s motives, suggesting the gift might be intended to curry favor or that the aircraft could contain hidden surveillance devices.
Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) condemned the gift as part of a pattern of foreign governments “paying off” the president for favors. “Every one of these countries is giving Trump money,” Murphy said, referencing the jet from Qatar and other alleged investments from the UAE. He called the situation “the definition of corruption,” claiming it compromises US national security.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani rejected accusations of bribery, describing the gift as a “normal” exchange between allied governments. “It’s mutually beneficial for Qatar and the United States,” Al Thani said.
