President Donald Trump has responded to reports that he is poised to accept a $400 million ‘palace in the sky’.
The US president is expected to receive a plane from the Qatari royal family that he would get to keep at the end of his presidency in 2028.
Described as a ‘palace in the sky’, the Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet has sparked criticism from members of the public.
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However, Trump has taken to social media himself to defend it.
On his own platform, Truth Social, the president wrote: “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.”
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This is after Democrats voiced their concerns over the potential gift, with some claiming that Trump would first need to seek the consent of Congress before accepting it.
Chuck Schumer, who is the Senate minority leader, said: “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.”
However, despite pushback from Trump, it seems receiving this present could be against the US Constitution.
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In article I, section nine, clause 8, it reads: “No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.”
The White House has also defended the gift from Qatar, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that any gift would comply with the laws relevant to the situation.
It is not yet clear whether the exchange will go away but according to Qatari media, the ‘possible transfer of an aircraft... is currently under consideration’.
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Many people have taken to social media themselves to share their own reactions to the news.
On X, formerly Twitter, one user wrote: “Hillary Clinton wasn’t allowed to keep a $425 necklace gifted to her by Bangladesh when she was Secretary of State.
“Donald Trump is about to accept a $400 MILLION plane as a bribe from Qatar.”
And another added: “Folks, if Trump accepts a private jet from Qatar to be used as Air Force One and then transferred to his presidential library for personal use, that's bribery ‘IN PLANE SIGHT’.
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“Draft up the impeachment papers, because this counts.”