Trump administration poised to accept 'palace in the sky' as a gift for Trump from Qatar: Sources
The luxury jumbo jet is to be used as Air Force One, sources told ABC News.ABC NewsByJonathan Karl and Katherine FauldersMay 11, 2025In what may be the most valuable gift ever extended to the United States from a foreign government, the Trump administration is preparing to accept a super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the royal family of Qatar -- a gift that is to be available for use by President Donald Trump as the new Air Force One until shortly before he leaves office, at which time ownership of the plane will be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation, sources familiar with the proposed arrangement told ABC News.The gift is expected to be announced next week, when Trump visits Qatar on the first foreign trip of his second term, according to sources familiar with the plans.Trump toured the plane, which is so opulently configured it is known as "a flying palace," while it was parked at the West Palm Beach International Airport in February.
What does he plan on doing with it? This is a flying place but is not Air Force One* with the secured communications, nor the military defensive package.... this is just a flying palace!
The highly unusual -- unprecedented -- arrangement is sure to raise questions about whether it is legal for the Trump administration, and ultimately, the Trump presidential library foundation, to accept such a valuable gift from a foreign power.
Like what is the Trump presidential library foundation going to do with it after he is no longer in the White House... Will Trump be able to fly in it as his personal private plane?
The unprecedented gift is reportedly so luxurious that it is known as a “flying palace.”Daily BeastBy Emell Derra AdolphusMay 11 2025President Donald Trump is set to accept what could be the most valuable gift ever presented to the United States—and he plans to keep it all for himself.[...]Trump reportedly toured the plane and gave it his stamp of approval while it was parked at the West Palm Beach International Airport in February, ABC reported.
Wait a minute, there is a little thing like the Constitution!
Although gift exchanges are common between heads of state, the Constitution prohibits federal officials from receiving personal gifts from foreign heads of state without the consent of Congress.All foreign gifts over the “minimal value”—$480 as of March 2025—are considered gifts to the people of the United States and must be purchased from the General Services Administration (GSA) at fair market value for them to be retained, as outlined by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.
Gee is this for me? I don't know how to thank you so much! Well maybe there is one thing you do for us.
The Guardian writes,
Donald Trump this week will embark on the first foreign trip of his second administration with a tour of the Middle East, as he looks to secure investment, trade and technology deals from friendly leaders with deep pockets amid turbulent negotiations around numerous regional conflicts, including Israel’s war in Gaza.[...]His negotiations in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will focus on a number of topics, including oil and trade, investment deals, the regional conflicts in Israel-Gaza and Yemen, and negotiations over the Iran nuclear programme among other issues.But Trump’s key goal is to come out of the region saying that he put America first, say observers.“I think what he’s clearly looking to get out of this is deals, the announcement of multiple multi-billion dollar deals,” said Steven A Cook, the senior fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.“The president’s approach to foreign policy is heavily influenced by … his version of economic statecraft, which is to look towards the wealthy states in the Gulf and their very large sovereign wealth funds as sources of investment in the United States,” he said.
Do you think Qatar will get special treatment when it comes time to negotiate trade deals? The British Independent writes that,
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on X: “Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar. It’s not just bribery, it’s premium foreign influence with extra legroom.” There were similar allegations from others on social media.
And a Republican said,
Loomer [Trump’s far-right ally Laura Loomer] also posted her disapproval: “I love President Trump. I would take a bullet for him. But, I have to call a spade a spade. We cannot accept a $400 million ‘gift’ from jihadists in suits.”
“The Qataris fund the same Iranian proxies in Hamas and Hezbollah who have murdered U.S. Service Members. The same proxies that have worked with the Mexican cartels to get jihadists across our border,” she continued, pushing a far-right conspiracy theory. “This is really going to be such a stain on the admin if this is true. And I say that as someone who would take a bullet for Trump. I’m so disappointed.”
*Yes, I know what ever plane the president flies on is Air Force One... but I am taking about the actual plane which is also called Aire Force One.
Updated @ 4:30PM
Talk about corruption...
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