Trump defends Qatar’s $400 million jet offer, calling it a generous gesture and smart opportunity.
President Trump dismissed concerns regarding Qatar’s offer to replace Air Force One with a luxury Boeing 747.
Trump called it a “great gesture” and “stupid” to turn down. The offer comes amid Trump’s upcoming visit to the Middle East.
It raised significany legal and ethical questions.
Qatar’s offer to replace Air Force One could cost millions in retrofitting
The Qatari offer to provide a replacement for Air Force One nvolves a luxury Boeing 747 valued at $250-$400 million.
The cost of retrofitting the plane with necessary security, communications, and defensive systems could reach hundreds of millions of dollars.
Estimates suggest that modifying the aircraft could take up to two years.
However, The U.S president views the offer as a ‘nice gesture’.
He dismissed concerns about legality and security. He called it a gift to the Defense Department, not a personal benefit to him.
“It’s a very expensive aircraft. I’d be stupid to say no,” Trump told reporters before heading to the Middle East this week.
The Trump Qatar plane offer was first reported by ABC News.
This quickly sparked backlash from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
He wrote on his social flatform: “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.”
Senators raise concerns about espionage and counterintelligence risks
Both Republican and Democratic senators have voiced concerns over the security risks posed by Qatar’s gift.
It could take two years and cost up to three times its value to retrofit the aircraft for presidential use.
While Qatar’s Boeing 747 is reportedly worth $250–$400 million, overhauling it could push total costs past $750 million.
Sen. Ted Cruz warned of espionage and surveillance risks.
He said the plane “poses significant espionage and surveillance problems.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Jack Reed, a top Democrat, highlighted the counterintelligence threats of granting a foreign nation potential access to sensitive systems and communications.
These concerns highlight the national security implications of accepting the offer. They also point to potential risks to the president’s safety and confidential information.
Trump defends Qatar’s gesture, calls it a practical solution
President Trump defended the gesture, explaining that the **current Air Force One planes are old and costly to maintain.
He emphasized that the Qatari je would be a temporary solution until the new Air Force One jets are delivered.
Additionally , He made it that he saw the offer as a supportive gesture from Qatar, not a personal gift.
“I think it’s a great gesture from Qatar. I appreciate it very much. So, I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer,” he said.
However, the offer from Qatar has sparked debate over the legalities of foreign gifts.
Democratic lawmakers argue that accepting such a gift would violate constitutional restrictions and create a clear conflict of interest.
They warned that this could lead to concerns over foreign influence and undermined public trust in the government.