On Tuesday, Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, firmly denied accusations suggesting that Doha's proposal of an estimated $400 million Boeing 747 jet to U.S. President Donald Trump was a strategic move to gain favor with the White House administration. In a statement, al-Thani emphasized that the relationship between Qatar and the United States is characterized by institutional cooperation, asserting, “I call it an exchange between two countries.”
Al-Thani explained that the jet offer is part of a transaction between Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense, conducted with full transparency and legality. He elaborated, stating that this action is an extension of the longstanding cooperation that has existed between the two nations for decades. “The plane story is a ministry of defense to department of defense transaction,” he stated, highlighting the professional nature of the agreement.
President Trump recently completed a whirlwind tour of the Middle East, which included stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Following the announcement of the jet gift, Trump faced criticism from opposition politicians at home. During the same period, Qatar also agreed to purchase up to 210 American-made Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft, a deal that the White House praised as the largest-ever widebody and 787 orders at Boeing, a significant player in the U.S. defense sector.
Al-Thani reiterated that the gesture of gifting the aircraft is a standard practice among allies and dismissed any allegations of Qatar trying to buy influence with the current administration. “It’s a two-way relationship. It’s mutually beneficial for Qatar and for the United States,” he noted, asserting that all dealings are above board. He also remarked that many nations have gifted various items to the U.S., drawing a parallel without directly comparing it to historical gifts like the Statue of Liberty.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump mentioned that the prospective gifted plane could temporarily replace the aging 40-year-old Air Force One aircraft. He further indicated that the jet would eventually become part of a future presidential library foundation. Currently, Boeing is engaged in producing a new Air Force One aircraft, but deliveries have faced delays due to supplier and parts challenges.
The Qatari offer has sparked broader ethical and security concerns, particularly among Democrats. The Foreign Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution states that no official can accept gifts from foreign entities without congressional consent. In response, several Democrats in the House of Representatives have submitted a resolution urging Trump to present all details regarding the jumbo jet donation to Congress, aligning with the stipulations of the Foreign Emoluments Clause.
Congress is tasked with ensuring that the President does not exploit the highest office for personal gain through lavish gifts from foreign leaders. “It is high time that Congress do its job,” stated Rep. Jamie Raskin, the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., also expressed concerns, labeling the situation as “the definition of corruption” during an appearance on NBC's Meet the Press.
In defense of the Qatari gesture, Trump characterized it as a contribution to the Defense Department while Boeing continues to manufacture additional aircraft. He remarked, “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 further 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.”
