 "U.S. President Donald Trump talks with Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani as he departs Al Udeid Air Base, en-route to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in Doha, Qatar, May 15, 2025. REUTERS")
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has accepted a luxury Boeing 747 plane from Qatar for President Donald Trump to use as Air Force One, the Pentagon said on Wednesday. This comes despite ongoing concerns about whether it is ethical or legal to accept such an expensive gift from a foreign country.
The Defense Department will “work to ensure proper security measures” on the aircraft to make it safe for use by the president, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said.
He emphasised that the plane was accepted “in accordance with all federal rules and regulations.”
Trump said the gift, which was discussed during his recent Middle East trip, would help save tax money.
“Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for FREE,” Trump posted on his social media site during the trip.
Legal experts have questioned the scope of laws relating to gifts from foreign governments that aim to thwart corruption and improper influence. Democrats have also sought to block the handover.
“Today marks a dark day in history: the president of the United States of America officially accepted the largest bribe from a foreign government in American history,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe “unprecedented action is a stain on the office of the presidency and cannot go unanswered,” he added.
Trump was asked about the move Wednesday while he was meeting in the Oval Office with South Africa’s president. “They are giving the United States Air Force a jet,” Trump said.