Donald Trump is facing intense backlash from both political opponents and his own loyal supporters over a controversial deal involving a luxury aircraft gift from Qatar. The developing Trump Qatar jet controversy centers around a $400 million Boeing 747-8 that the Qatari royal family is reportedly offering to the U.S. president — a move that has ignited a bipartisan firestorm.
The aircraft, set to be used as Air Force One, is expected to be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation upon the end of Trump’s term. This plan has raised serious legal and ethical concerns, fueling what is now widely referred to as the Trump foreign gift scandal.
Legal Experts and Politicians Slam Trump’s Air Force One Gift Deal
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), a leading Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, condemned the move on social media, noting that the U.S. Constitution explicitly bars any federal official from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval.
“Trump must seek Congress’ consent to take this $300 million gift from Qatar,” Raskin wrote. “A gift you use for four years and then deposit in your library is still a gift — and a grift.”
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) called the deal “wildly illegal,” emphasizing that it could be interpreted as a disguised cash payment in exchange for political favors. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) labeled the plan “kleptocracy,” and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) sarcastically remarked, “Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar.”
Conservative Figures Join the Criticism
Surprisingly, the Trump Air Force One gift deal has drawn criticism from some of Trump’s most ardent supporters. Conservative commentator Erick Erickson warned about Qatar’s ties to terrorism and Iranian proxies, stating, “The Qatari government is not our friend.”
Even far-right activist Laura Loomer, known for her fierce loyalty to Trump, expressed deep disappointment. “I love President Trump. I would take a bullet for him,” she wrote. “But I have to call a spade a spade… I’m so disappointed.”
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) pointed to the hypocrisy, referencing past scrutiny over Hunter Biden’s art sales: “Didn’t Hunter Biden once sell a painting and get investigated for four years?”
Ethics Watchdogs and Public Outcry
Jordan Libowitz of the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) raised concerns about the impact of such a gift on foreign policy decisions. “How much is he being influenced by his gifts and business deals?” Libowitz asked.
The Democratic Party has called the matter “corruption in plain sight,” further intensifying calls for investigation.
Trump Defends Qatar Boeing 747 Deal
Trump, however, defended the decision on his Truth Social platform, saying:
“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… so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, TOP DOLLAR, for the plane. The Dems are World Class Losers!!! MAGA.”
As the Trump Qatar jet controversy continues to escalate, legal analysts, politicians, and voters alike are closely watching whether Congress will intervene — and whether this latest scandal will impact Trump’s political ambitions moving forward.
