Donald Trump is facing a firestorm over accepting a $400 million Boeing 747 from Qatar—but he’s standing firm, calling it a patriotic gift and even comparing it to one of America’s most treasured symbols: the Statue of Liberty.
“France gave us the Statue of Liberty,” Trump posted on Truth Social, resharing a meme that showed the statue wearing a sign: “Gift from a foreign nation.”
The Qatar jet, custom-built and decked out for a head of state, has drawn sharp criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. Legal experts warn it could violate the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which bars presidents from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval.
But Trump says the uproar is ridiculous—and that turning down the plane would be the real scandal.
“Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for FREE from a country that wants to reward us for a job well done,” Trump wrote online. “Only a FOOL would not accept this gift on behalf of our Country.”
In an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity aboard Air Force One, Trump complained that the U.S. presidential aircraft is falling behind compared to the luxury jets used by Gulf leaders.
“When you land and you see Saudi Arabia, and you see UAE, and you see Qatar, and you see all these, and they have these brand-new 747s mostly. And you see ours next to it. This is like a totally different plane. It’s much smaller. It’s much less impressive,” he said.
“We’re the United States of America. I believe that we should have the most impressive plane,” he added.
Trump claimed the Qatar jet would serve as a temporary Air Force One while Boeing continues delays on the official replacements. He added that the plane would not be for his personal use after his presidency.
“It would go directly to the library after I leave office,” he said on Monday. “I wouldn’t be using it.”
The backlash hasn’t just come from Democrats. Some of Trump’s own allies are voicing concern over the optics and legality.
“I don’t think it looks good or smells good,” said Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), according to Punchbowl News.
“I’d love to have a big, beautiful jet that’s built in the United States of America,” said Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO). “That seems to me to be the way to go.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer vowed to block all Justice Department nominations until Congress gets answers.
“The attorney general must testify before both the House and Senate to explain why gifting Donald Trump a private jet does not violate the Emoluments Clause—which requires congressional approval—or any other ethics laws,” Schumer said Tuesday.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt tried to calm the storm, telling Fox & Friends:
“The Qatari government has graciously offered to donate a plane to the Department of Defense. The legal details of that are still being worked out. But, of course, any donation to this government is always done in full compliance with the law, and we commit ourselves to the utmost transparency.”
Despite the controversy, Trump shows no signs of backing off. In his eyes, accepting the jet is legal.
“Some people say, ‘Oh, you shouldn’t accept gifts for the country.’ My attitude is why wouldn’t I accept a gift?”
The comparison to the Statue of Liberty may seem absurd to some, but for Trump, it’s his way of reframing the story—from shady foreign deal to patriotic legacy.
