Trump says it'd be 'stupid' to reject plane offered as gift from Qatari royal family

Thomson Reuters

· Posted: May 12, 2025 8:39 PM EDT | Last Updated: 41 minutes ago

U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed ethical concerns astir his program to judge an airplane arsenic a acquisition from the Qatari royal family, saying connected Monday it would beryllium "stupid" to crook down the generous offer.

The $400-million US luxury plane, which would beryllium outfitted to service arsenic Air Force One, would beryllium 1 of the astir invaluable gifts ever received by the U.S. government. News of the connection drew contiguous disapproval from Democrats and advocates of bully government, who warned it was a struggle of involvement that could power statesmanlike decisions.

Trump said the Boeing 747-8 airplane would yet beryllium donated to his statesmanlike library — a repository lodging probe materials from his medication — and that helium had nary plans to usage it for idiosyncratic reasons aft leaving office.

"I deliberation it's a large motion from Qatar. I admit it precise much. I would ne'er beryllium 1 to crook down that benignant of an offer," Trump told reporters astatine the White House earlier leaving for a travel to the Middle East.

"I mean, I could beryllium a anserine idiosyncratic saying, 'No, we don't privation a free, precise costly airplane.'" 

The Republican president attributed the connection to gratitude for U.S. assistance successful the defence of countries successful the portion including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, each stops connected his itinerary this week.

Trump besides said accepting it was a applicable decision, and that helium was disappointed that Boeing has taken truthful agelong to present the caller Air Force One planes helium commissioned during his archetypal word arsenic president.

Likely unconstitutional, critics say

Critics of the connection said it was unethical and apt unconstitutional.

Democratic senators Brian Schatz, Chris Murphy, Cory Booker and Chris Coons said successful a connection that Trump's acceptance of specified a acquisition would make a wide struggle of interest, rise superior nationalist information questions and invitation overseas influence.

Rep. Joe Courtney of Connecticut, the elder Democrat connected the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, said it would distract from the U.S. aerial force's efforts to velocity up transportation of the existent caller Air Force One fleet.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said ineligible details surrounding the donation were inactive being worked retired and that the Trump medication was not disquieted astir what the Qataris mightiness inquire for successful return.