Donald Trump is under fire from his own side after reports that he will accept a $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 from Qatar. The plane was reportedly being offered as a gift to Trump. It would be used as Air Force One during a second term — and then, according to Trump, transferred to his Presidential Library Foundation once he leaves office.
People aren’t buying it. Even some of Trump’s loudest backers are now calling him out.
Conservative radio host Erick Erickson didn’t mince words: “The Qatari government is not our friend, cooperates with Iran and its proxies, and funds terrorism and pro-terror propaganda around the world.”
Far-right activist Laura Loomer, normally one of Trump’s most loyal defenders, was equally outraged: “I love President Trump. I would take a bullet for him. But, I have to call a spade a spade. 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.”
Among conservatives, the idea that Trump could personally benefit from a foreign power is raising red flags.
Former GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger, no stranger to criticizing Trump, asked bluntly: “Didn’t Hunter Biden once sell a painting and get investigated for four years?”
Meanwhile, Democrats have slammed the deal as “corruption in plain sight.”
Rep. Jamie Raskin (Md.), the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, wrote on social media: “Trump must seek Congress’ consent to take this $300 million gift from Qatar. The Constitution is perfectly clear: no present ‘of any kind whatever’ from a foreign state without Congressional permission. 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.) said: “This isn’t a good idea even if the plane was being donated to the U.S. government. But Trump GETS TO KEEP THE PLANE??? It’s simply a cash payment to Trump in exchange for favors. Just wildly illegal.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) slammed it as “over-the-top kleptocracy,” warning that “Congress must not allow this… to proceed.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) ridiculed the situation: “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.”
Jordan Libowitz from the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington told the Associated Press: “You have to ask, if he makes foreign policy — especially in regards to the Middle East — how much is he being influenced by his gifts and his business deals.”
Trump defended the deal on Truth Social, writing: “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.”
