Donald Trump is facing a growing wave of criticism from across the political spectrum-including prominent figures within his own MAGA base-over plans to accept a $400 million Boeing 747 jet from the government of Qatar. The luxury aircraft, described as a "palace in the sky," is being offered to the president as a personal gift to be repurposed as a future replacement for Air Force One.
The controversy has drawn condemnation from conservative commentators, Republican lawmakers, and ethics experts, raising concerns over constitutionality, national security, and political optics. "President Trump promised to drain the swamp-this is not, in fact, draining the swamp," Ben Shapiro said on his podcast. He added, "Taking sacks of goodies from people who support Hamas, Muslim Brotherhood, Al Jazeera, all the rest, that's not America First."
Laura Loomer, a pro-Trump activist, said on social media that while she would "take a bullet for Trump," she was "so disappointed" by the move. "We cannot accept a $400m 'gift' from jihadists in suits," she said.
Republican Senators Rand Paul and Josh Hawley have voiced unease. "It's not like a ride on the plane. We are talking about the entire $400 million plane," Paul told Fox News. "I don't think it looks good or smells good." Hawley added, "It would be better if Air Force One were a big, beautiful jet made in the United States of America."
Trump, who is currently touring Gulf nations and will visit Qatar, defended the gift on Monday, saying, "I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer." He later said the plane would not be used personally but would be donated to his presidential library after he leaves office. "It would go directly to the library," he told reporters. "I wouldn't be using it."
Still, national security concerns loom large. The current Air Force One jets were custom-built for presidential use during the Cold War, with features including nuclear-blast shielding, encrypted communications, anti-missile systems, and in-flight refueling. William Evanina, former director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, warned, "Disassembling and evaluating the plane for collection/spy devices will take years." He called the aircraft "a gracious presidential museum piece"-not a secure substitute.
Trump cited delays in Boeing's official Air Force One retrofit program as part of his frustration. The current replacements are not expected to be delivered until late in his second term. "We give free things out. We'll take one, too," Trump said, drawing a comparison to casual golf course favors. "When they give you a putt, you pick it up and you walk to the next hole and you say, 'Thank you very much.'"
The proposal has reignited legal debates around the Constitution's emoluments clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional consent. "This is a classic example of what the founders worried about," said Richard Painter, former White House ethics counsel under George W. Bush. "But I don't think the founders anticipated it would get this bad."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday the plan was "still being worked out" but would be "in full compliance with the law." She dismissed suggestions of foreign influence, stating, "They know President Trump, and they know he only works with the interests of the American public in mind."
Senate Democrats on the Foreign Relations Committee issued a joint statement calling the situation "a clear conflict of interest" that "undermines public trust in our government." The group, including Sens. Chris Murphy, Cory Booker, Chris Coons, and Brian Schatz, warned, "No one-not even the president-is above the law."
The Trump Organization's expanding business ties in the Gulf have compounded scrutiny. In Qatar, the company recently announced a new Trump-branded resort. Meanwhile, projects in Riyadh and Oman continue under development with Saudi partners, highlighting blurred lines between Trump's political leadership and private enterprise.
