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| Trump's critics and supporters unite against Qatar plane deal | Trump's critics and supporters unite against Qatar plane deal |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| US President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at a signing ceremony in Doha on Wednesday | US President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at a signing ceremony in Doha on Wednesday |
| In his eagerness to accept a plane from Qatar, Donald Trump has achieved a remarkable feat, uniting many partisans across America's bitter political divide. | In his eagerness to accept a plane from Qatar, Donald Trump has achieved a remarkable feat, uniting many partisans across America's bitter political divide. |
| The problem for the White House is that unity is happening in opposition to it. | The problem for the White House is that unity is happening in opposition to it. |
| Predictably, Trump's opponents in the Democratic Party slammed the president after he indicated he would accept a luxury jet from the Qatari royal family. | Predictably, Trump's opponents in the Democratic Party slammed the president after he indicated he would accept a luxury jet from the Qatari royal family. |
| More noteworthy – and potentially more troubling for the president – is that some of his strongest supporters also have serious reservations about the deal, even as it's yet to be finalised. | |
| Maga influencers have described the move as a "bribe", grift, or an example of the high-level corruption that Trump himself has consistently promised root out. | Maga influencers have described the move as a "bribe", grift, or an example of the high-level corruption that Trump himself has consistently promised root out. |
| The Qatari royal family plans to give the luxury Boeing 747-8, estimated to be worth $400m (£300m), to the US Department of Defence to be used as part of a fleet of planes dubbed Air Force One – the president's official mode of air travel. | The Qatari royal family plans to give the luxury Boeing 747-8, estimated to be worth $400m (£300m), to the US Department of Defence to be used as part of a fleet of planes dubbed Air Force One – the president's official mode of air travel. |
| The current fleet includes two 747-200 jets which have been in use since 1990, along with several smaller and somewhat secretive 757s. | The current fleet includes two 747-200 jets which have been in use since 1990, along with several smaller and somewhat secretive 757s. |
| The White House says that the new plane – which could require years and millions of dollars to refit and upgrade – will be transferred to Trump's presidential library at the end of his term. | The White House says that the new plane – which could require years and millions of dollars to refit and upgrade – will be transferred to Trump's presidential library at the end of his term. |
| The Democratic National Committee flew its own aircraft over Trump's Florida resort on Wednesday, towing a mocking banner reading "Qatar-a-Lago" | The Democratic National Committee flew its own aircraft over Trump's Florida resort on Wednesday, towing a mocking banner reading "Qatar-a-Lago" |
| After the news broke on Sunday, the backlash was fierce and immediate. | After the news broke on Sunday, the backlash was fierce and immediate. |
| "I think the technical term is 'skeezy'," deadpanned conservative Daily Wire commentator Ben Shapiro on his podcast. | "I think the technical term is 'skeezy'," deadpanned conservative Daily Wire commentator Ben Shapiro on his podcast. |
| "Qatar is not allegedly giving President Trump a $400m jet out of the goodness of their sweet little hearts," he said. "They try to stuff money into pockets in totally bipartisan fashion." | "Qatar is not allegedly giving President Trump a $400m jet out of the goodness of their sweet little hearts," he said. "They try to stuff money into pockets in totally bipartisan fashion." |
| He and others pointed to allegations that Qatar has funnelled money into terrorist groups – allegations the country has denied – and called Qataris "the world's largest proponents of terrorism on an international scale." | He and others pointed to allegations that Qatar has funnelled money into terrorist groups – allegations the country has denied – and called Qataris "the world's largest proponents of terrorism on an international scale." |
| Laura Loomer, the conspiracy-spreading social media influencer who agitates for sackings of top White House officials deemed insufficiently loyal, interrupted her steady stream of pro-Trump messaging to criticise the move. | Laura Loomer, the conspiracy-spreading social media influencer who agitates for sackings of top White House officials deemed insufficiently loyal, interrupted her steady stream of pro-Trump messaging to criticise the move. |
| Although she said she still supports the president, she called the plane deal "a stain" and posted a cartoon of the Trojan Horse, redrawn as a plane and filled with armed Islamist militants. | Although she said she still supports the president, she called the plane deal "a stain" and posted a cartoon of the Trojan Horse, redrawn as a plane and filled with armed Islamist militants. |
| Watch: Qatar's luxury jet is "a nice gesture", says Donald Trump | Watch: Qatar's luxury jet is "a nice gesture", says Donald Trump |
| Trump found little support for the plan in more mainstream outlets as well. | Trump found little support for the plan in more mainstream outlets as well. |
| The New York Post, which usually can be counted on to back much of the populist Maga agenda, ran a blunt editorial: "Qatar's 'Palace in the Sky' jet is NOT a 'free gift' - and Trump shouldn't accept it as one." | The New York Post, which usually can be counted on to back much of the populist Maga agenda, ran a blunt editorial: "Qatar's 'Palace in the Sky' jet is NOT a 'free gift' - and Trump shouldn't accept it as one." |
| And Mark Levin, a consistent cheerleader of the president on Fox News and his radio talk show, posted on X accusing Qatar of being a "terror state" and wrote: "Their jet and all the other things they are buying in our country does not provide them with the cover they seek". | And Mark Levin, a consistent cheerleader of the president on Fox News and his radio talk show, posted on X accusing Qatar of being a "terror state" and wrote: "Their jet and all the other things they are buying in our country does not provide them with the cover they seek". |
| During his first term, Trump himself accused Qatar of funding terror groups. | During his first term, Trump himself accused Qatar of funding terror groups. |
| When contacted by the BBC, the Qatari embassy in Washington pointed to an interview Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani gave CNN about the plane. | When contacted by the BBC, the Qatari embassy in Washington pointed to an interview Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani gave CNN about the plane. |
| "It is a government-to-government transaction. It has nothing to do with personal relationships - neither on the US side, nor the Qatari side. It's between the two defence ministries," he said. | "It is a government-to-government transaction. It has nothing to do with personal relationships - neither on the US side, nor the Qatari side. It's between the two defence ministries," he said. |
| "Why would we buy influence in the United States?" he added, arguing Qatar has "always been a reliable and trusted partner. This is not a one-way relationship." | "Why would we buy influence in the United States?" he added, arguing Qatar has "always been a reliable and trusted partner. This is not a one-way relationship." |
| Is Trump allowed to accept a $400m luxury plane as a gift? | Is Trump allowed to accept a $400m luxury plane as a gift? |
| In response to criticism of the deal, the White House has doubled down. Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that the administration was "committed to full transparency". | In response to criticism of the deal, the White House has doubled down. Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that the administration was "committed to full transparency". |
| "Any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws," she said. | "Any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws," she said. |
| One of the ageing planes in the Air Force One fleet, pictured here taking off outside of Washington in 2024 | One of the ageing planes in the Air Force One fleet, pictured here taking off outside of Washington in 2024 |
| Although there has been nothing offered in exchange for the plane, many commentators said it would be naïve to expect that that Qatari royal family would hand out such a large item with no strings attached. | Although there has been nothing offered in exchange for the plane, many commentators said it would be naïve to expect that that Qatari royal family would hand out such a large item with no strings attached. |
| "They very obviously see that if you reward Donald Trump with gifts, that may pay off down the road," Doug Heye, a political strategist and former communications director for the Republican National Committee, told the BBC. "Flattery gets you somewhere with Donald Trump, and we've seen that time and time again." | "They very obviously see that if you reward Donald Trump with gifts, that may pay off down the road," Doug Heye, a political strategist and former communications director for the Republican National Committee, told the BBC. "Flattery gets you somewhere with Donald Trump, and we've seen that time and time again." |
| The US Constitution includes a clause preventing officials from accepting "any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State." | The US Constitution includes a clause preventing officials from accepting "any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State." |
| But the White House has pointed out that, at least to begin with, the plane is being gifted to the US government. | But the White House has pointed out that, at least to begin with, the plane is being gifted to the US government. |
| Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly investigated the legality of the deal and determined that because there are no explicit conditions attached, it would not amount to a bribe. | Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly investigated the legality of the deal and determined that because there are no explicit conditions attached, it would not amount to a bribe. |
| Conservatives and others were quick to point out that Bondi was registered as a lobbyist for Qatar prior to joining Trump's cabinet, at some points earning up to $115,0000 (£87,000) a month from her work for the Qatari government. | Conservatives and others were quick to point out that Bondi was registered as a lobbyist for Qatar prior to joining Trump's cabinet, at some points earning up to $115,0000 (£87,000) a month from her work for the Qatari government. |
| The Trump Organisation also continues to maintain links to Qatar and last month announced a deal to build a luxury golf resort in the country. | The Trump Organisation also continues to maintain links to Qatar and last month announced a deal to build a luxury golf resort in the country. |
| Attorney General Pam Bondi is a former lobbyist | Attorney General Pam Bondi is a former lobbyist |
| During a news conference at the White House on Tuesday the president berated a reporter who raised questions about the ethics of the transaction. | During a news conference at the White House on Tuesday the president berated a reporter who raised questions about the ethics of the transaction. |
| "What do you say to people who view that luxury jet as a personal gift to you?" asked ABC reporter Rachel Scott. | "What do you say to people who view that luxury jet as a personal gift to you?" asked ABC reporter Rachel Scott. |
| "You should be embarrassed asking that question," Trump replied, after using his standard "fake news" jibe. | "You should be embarrassed asking that question," Trump replied, after using his standard "fake news" jibe. |
| "They're giving us a free jet," the president said. "I could say 'No, no, no, don't give us, I want to pay you a billion or 400 million'… or I could say 'thank you very much'." | "They're giving us a free jet," the president said. "I could say 'No, no, no, don't give us, I want to pay you a billion or 400 million'… or I could say 'thank you very much'." |
| On Truth Social, the president later reposted several messages pointing out that the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France, and wrote late Tuesday: "The Boeing 747 is being given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defense, NOT TO ME!" | On Truth Social, the president later reposted several messages pointing out that the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France, and wrote late Tuesday: "The Boeing 747 is being given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defense, NOT TO ME!" |
| "Only a FOOL would not accept this gift on behalf of our Country," he wrote. | "Only a FOOL would not accept this gift on behalf of our Country," he wrote. |
| However even some within Trump's Republican Party were expressing concern. | However even some within Trump's Republican Party were expressing concern. |
| "I think it's not worth the appearance of impropriety, whether it's improper or not," Rand Paul, Republican senator from Kentucky, told Fox News. | "I think it's not worth the appearance of impropriety, whether it's improper or not," Rand Paul, Republican senator from Kentucky, told Fox News. |
| "I wonder if our ability to judge [Qatar's] human rights record will be clouded by the fact of this large gift," Paul said. | "I wonder if our ability to judge [Qatar's] human rights record will be clouded by the fact of this large gift," Paul said. |
| Another Republican senator, Ted Cruz of Texas, said accepting the gift would pose "significant espionage and surveillance problems". | Another Republican senator, Ted Cruz of Texas, said accepting the gift would pose "significant espionage and surveillance problems". |
| Trump did find some support within his party. "Free is good. You know, we don't have a lot of money right now to buy things like that," Sen Tommy Tuberville told CNN. | Trump did find some support within his party. "Free is good. You know, we don't have a lot of money right now to buy things like that," Sen Tommy Tuberville told CNN. |
| Doug Heye, the Republican strategist, suggested that the deal might not hurt Trump's popularity with his base in the long term. | Doug Heye, the Republican strategist, suggested that the deal might not hurt Trump's popularity with his base in the long term. |
| "Trump has been able for years now to turn scandals that would otherwise be debilitating for other politicians into things that we forget," he said. "He's very skilled at that." | "Trump has been able for years now to turn scandals that would otherwise be debilitating for other politicians into things that we forget," he said. "He's very skilled at that." |