Trump defends taking a Qatari 747 as Air Force One on a Western campaign swing
The president's own words on the gift, with the context of the midterm tour.
At a rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, with the new jet parked behind him, President Trump said of the Qatari royal family's gift: "When you're given gifts, you take 'em, right? When they give you a 747, you say two words: 'Thank you.'" He accepted the plane last year despite criticism, including from some Republican supporters. Later in Montana he warned the Second Amendment would be "under siege" if Democrats win the November 3 midterms, campaigned for House candidate Aaron Flint and announced a new military testing range. On the trip's first day in Alaska he announced a Taiwanese gas purchase and pardoned two Alaskans convicted of Clean Air Act violations.
Across the spectrum 2
Democrat
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), when the administration accepted the jet in May 2025: "the President of the United States of America officially accepted the largest bribe from a foreign government in American history to the tune of a luxury $500 million 747 from Qatar." He introduced a bill to bar any foreign aircraft from serving as Air Force One.
Senate Democrats ↗Republican
President Donald Trump, at his Bullhead City, Ariz., rally: "When you’re given gifts, you take ’em, right? When they give you a 747, you say two words: ‘Thank you.’"
WRAL (AP) ↗-
Foreign Emoluments Clause
After exploring Trump defends gifted Air Force One from Qatar and makes 2nd Amendment pitch as he campaigns for GOP, the constitutional rule critics cite is Foreign Emoluments Clause.
The clause that bars federal officials from accepting gifts, emoluments, offices or titles from foreign states without the consent of Congress.
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