Former President Donald Trump greeting Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha, May 14, 2025. In the course of those discussions—believe it or not—one of the topics was a transformational gift they were pursuing—a Boeing 747 plane valued at $400 million. This gesture, proposed to temporarily replace the aging Air Force One, has sparked controversy and allegations of potential impropriety, which both Trump and Qatari officials have firmly denied.
The relationship between Qatar and the United States is often described as “very institutional,” according to Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister. He reiterated that the statue embodies a deeper friendship between the two countries. We shouldn’t consider it a quid-pro-quo transaction engineered to sway U.S. policy.
Qatar has indeed put in an exciting new announcement! They topped their jet gift by ordering up to 210 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft — all powered by GE Aerospace engines. The White House celebrated this order as the “largest-ever” in terms of widebody and 787 commitments at Boeing.
Trump responded to criticism over the jet’s purchase at a press gaggle, spinning the purchase as a gift to the Defense Department. He referred to it as a “very nice gesture” from Qatar and stated that it is part of a reciprocal relationship between the two countries.
“It’s a two-ways relationship. It’s mutually beneficial for Qatar and for the United States. Nothing [has] been done by us under the table.” – Donald Trump
Many members of Congress have raised red flags about what accepting such a gift would mean. Just last week, four House Democrats led by New York Rep. They argued that his administration must disclose any plans to donate the jumbo jet to Congress, because anything like that would violate the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Representative Jamie Raskin voiced strong opposition to the gift, stating, “The Constitution charges Congress with ensuring the President does not use the highest office in the land as a get-rich-quick scheme to pocket lavish gifts from foreign Presidents, Dictators, and Emirs. It is high time that Congress do its job.”
Senator Chris Murphy derided the transaction, calling it “the very definition of corruption.” This tension underscores the ongoing debate about foreign influence in U.S. politics and the ethical standards expected of public officials.
Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani denied the charges categorically and strongly, both in scope and substance. He dismissed claims that Qatar is attempting to “purchase influence” with the new administration. He repeated that gifts like these are traditional between allies.
“I call it an exchange between two countries. And basically the relationship that we have between Qatar and the United States is a very institutional relationship.” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani
In justifying the gift even more, said Trump, you don’t want to look ungrateful by turning down something so wonderfully generous. He remarked, “I could be a stupid person and say no, we don’t want a free very expensive airplane, but … I thought it was a great gesture.”
Trump also reflected on the nature of international gifts, stating, “A lot of nations has gifted the U.S. many things. I am not comparing that to the Statue of Liberty, but…”
Debates about this powerful diplomatic overture are just beginning. Trump and Qatari officials have each argued that their actions are simply the result of mutual respect and cooperation—not corruption or foreign influence.
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