A growing number of Republican lawmakers are expressing their discontent with President Donald Trump's plans to accept a luxurious Boeing 747 aircraft as a gift from Qatar. This situation marks a rare instance of rebuke from the president's allies in Congress, highlighting the complexities surrounding U.S. foreign relations and national security. Senate Majority Leader John Thune publicly voiced his discomfort with the deal, stating that there are “lots of issues associated with that offer which I think need to be further talked about.”
More vocal members within the GOP caucus have taken their criticisms a step further, contending that the deal could raise questions of impropriety and potentially legitimize a regime that is accused of supporting Islamist militant groups globally. Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) articulated his concerns on Fox News, saying, “I do think the jet probably sends the wrong signal to people, and I don’t like the look or the appearance of it, so I would hope he rejects it.”
Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) also expressed his worries regarding Qatar’s financial backing of militant groups, particularly Hamas, which opposes Israel. He elaborated on the potential security threats posed by the aircraft, stating, “I also think that the plane poses significant espionage and surveillance problems. So we’ll see how this issue plays out.”
The senators’ remarks have prompted a rare moment of bipartisan outrage in Washington, with both Democrats and some of Trump’s strongest supporters outside the government uniting to criticize the proposed deal. The relationship between the U.S. and Qatar is notably complicated; despite its past support for terror groups, Qatar has emerged as a key mediator in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
The proposed gift includes a $400 million luxury plane intended for temporary use as Air Force One while a new aircraft is being constructed. Trump, currently visiting Doha on a Middle East tour, has indicated that the plane would later be donated to his future presidential library. Qatar has confirmed that while discussions regarding the plane’s transfer are ongoing, no final decision has been made.
Among Trump supporters, MAGA loyalist Laura Loomer has been vocal in her opposition to the deal, criticizing it as a misstep in Trump’s foreign policy. Podcaster Ben Shapiro also weighed in on the controversy, stating that accepting gifts from nations linked to Hamas and other groups contradicts the America First ideology.
Democrats have also been quick to condemn the proposed deal, framing it as blatant misconduct while raising national security concerns. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) called the proposal a “cash payment to Trump in exchange for favors,” questioning the legality of the arrangement. “This isn’t a good idea even if the plane was being donated to the U.S. government. But Trump GETS TO KEEP THE PLANE???” he posted on X.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) added her voice to the criticism, expressing her apprehension about potential surveillance risks associated with such an aircraft. “We don’t know what kind of bugs might be put in that aircraft. We know that Air Force One is more than just a plane. It’s also got secure communications,” she told CNN.
While the plane itself may be offered for free, modifying it to ensure its usability for U.S. military purposes would incur substantial costs, potentially amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. Lawmakers and former Air Force officials have indicated that extensive renovations would be necessary to eliminate any embedded surveillance devices and to integrate secure communications and security technologies into the aircraft.
The ongoing discussions surrounding the aircraft gift highlight the intricate balance of diplomacy and national security, as both sides of the political aisle grapple with the implications of accepting such a high-profile donation from a controversial ally.
