WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Monday furiously rejected ethics concerns over his plans to receive a jet from Qatar to be used as Air Force One, saying it would be “stupid” not to accept such a gift.
“It’s a great gesture,” the 78-year-old billionaire told reporters at the White House when asked if the oil-rich Gulf state would expect anything in exchange. “I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer. I mean, I could be a stupid person (and) say ‘no we don’t want a free, very expensive airplane.’”
Qatar’s royal family has offered to donate a luxury 747-8 jumbo jet as Trump awaits the delayed delivery of two new presidential planes from Boeing. But the move raises huge constitutional and ethical questions — as well as security concerns about using a plane donated by a foreign power for use as the ultra-sensitive Air Force One.
The US Constitution prohibits government officials from accepting gifts “from any King, Prince or foreign State,” in a section known as the Emoluments Clause.
“You should be embarrassed asking that question,” Trump told a reporter. “They’re giving us a free jet. I could say, no, no, no, don’t give us I want to pay you $1 billion or $400 million, or whatever it is. Or I could say, thank you very much.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted the White House would act with “utmost transparency.”
Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2025
