Qatar’s Prime Minister on Tuesday rejected accusations that the Gulf state’s offer of a $400 million Boeing 747 jet to U.S. President Donald Trump was an attempt to gain political favor with his administration.
“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,” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. “The plane story is a ministry of defense to department of defense transaction, which is basically done in full transparency and very legally, and it’s part of the cooperation that we’ve been always doing together for decades.”
The remarks come amid mounting criticism from U.S. opposition lawmakers, who raised ethical concerns after reports emerged that Qatar proposed gifting the aircraft during Trump’s recent Middle East trip, which included visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
At the same time, Qatar committed to a massive commercial deal to purchase up to 210 U.S.-made Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 777X aircraft equipped with GE Aerospace engines. The White House celebrated the agreement as the “largest-ever” widebody and 787 orders at Boeing — a key U.S. defense contractor.
Al-Thani, however, emphasized that the aircraft proposal was consistent with long-standing diplomatic practices. “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,” he said. “A lot of nations has gifted the U.S. many things. I am not comparing that to the Statue of Liberty, but…”
Trump confirmed last week on Truth Social that the proposed aircraft would “temporarily” serve as a replacement for the decades-old Air Force One, the official presidential aircraft. According to the Associated Press, Trump later stated that the plane would eventually be donated to a future presidential library foundation. Boeing is currently manufacturing a new Air Force One, though production has been delayed due to supply chain and parts issues.
Democratic lawmakers have expressed alarm over the jet offer, invoking the U.S. Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officeholders from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval.
Several House Democrats introduced a resolution demanding that Trump submit full documentation regarding the proposed donation to Congress.
“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,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee.
“This is the definition of corruption,” added Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Trump has defended the move, characterizing it as a helpful and legitimate offer during a period of aircraft transition for the U.S. Defense Department.
“They’re giving us a free jet. I could say, ‘no, no, no, don’t give us, I want to pay you a billion or 400 million or whatever it is,’ or I could say, ‘thank you very much,’” he said last week. In another exchange, he added, “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.”
