Former President Donald Trump has spoken out for the first time about the reported plan to acquire a luxury jet from Qatar’s royal family for temporary use as Air Force One, calling it a “GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE” and blasting critics for opposing what he described as a transparent, cost-saving measure.
In a post on Truth Social Sunday, Trump lashed out at Democrats, accusing them of outrage over what he framed as a patriotic and efficient solution to replace the aging presidential aircraft.
“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, temporarily, in a very public and transparent transaction, so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, TOP DOLLAR, for the plane. Anybody can do that! The Dems are World Class Losers!!! MAGA,” he wrote.
The controversy erupted after reports from ABC News and The New York Times revealed that the Qatari government is in discussions with the Pentagon to transfer a Boeing 747-8 to the U.S., which would be used as Air Force One during Trump’s presidency and later handed over to his presidential library after his term ends in January 2029.
Qatari officials have pushed back against the characterization of the plane as a personal gift, describing the deal as a potential government-to-government transfer. Nonetheless, the arrangement has drawn fierce criticism from ethics watchdogs and lawmakers, who warn it could violate the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval.
“This is outrageous,” said legal ethics expert Kathleen Clark, who accused Trump of leveraging public office for personal gain. Senator Chris Murphy called the move “wildly illegal,” while Representative Kelly Morrison described it as “corruption in plain sight.” Even Trump supporter Laura Loomer raised red flags, warning that accepting a jet from Qatar—known for its ties to groups like Hamas and Hezbollah—could harm the administration’s image.
The White House has reportedly prepared a legal defense, insisting that the jet would be received by the Department of Defense and later transferred to a foundation, with no personal ownership by Trump. Officials argue that because there is no quid pro quo, the gift does not constitute bribery or violate constitutional limits.
Trump is expected to officially announce the deal during his upcoming trip to the Middle East, which includes visits to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The aircraft, valued at approximately $400 million, is similar to one Trump visited earlier this year in Palm Beach and will undergo security and communication upgrades before being put into service.
