" Corruption in plain mass . "
Donald Trumphas drawn fierce blowback from even some of his most devoted supporters overthe Qatar jumbo jet controversy.
The Chief Executive has said he is willing to assume a $ 400 million luxury Boeing 747 - 8 — which Qatar ’s ruling family isreportedly weigh to give as a gift — that will be used as Air Force One and then transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation when he leaves agency .
Conservatives and Democrats likewise have flare the President of the United States over the move .
Rep. Jamie Raskin (Md.), the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee,vented on social media: “Trump must seek Congress’ consent to take this $300 million gift from Qatar. The Constitution is perfectly clear: no present ‘of any kind whatever’ from a foreign state without Congressional permission. A gift you use for four years and then deposit in your library is still a gift (and a grift).”
“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???” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “It’s simply a cash payment to Trump in exchange for favors. Just wildly illegal.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)fumed: “Congress must not allow this over-the-top kleptocracy to proceed.”
Senate Minority LeaderChuck Schumer(D-N.Y.)added: “Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar. It’s not just bribery, it’s premium foreign influence with extra legroom.”
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), a longtime critic of Trump,asked: “Didn’t Hunter Biden once sell a painting and get investigated for four years?”
The Democratic Party, meanwhile, slammed it as “corruption in plain sight.”
On the other side of the aisle, conservative radio host and pundit Erick Ericksonposted on social media: “The Qatari government is not our friend, cooperates with Iran and its proxies, and funds terrorism and pro-terror propaganda around the world.”
And far-right conspiracist Laura Loomer, usually a vocal supporter of Trump,slammed the move.
Jordan Libowitz , of the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington watchdog , wasquoted by the Associated Pressas say : “ You have to call for , if he piddle alien insurance policy — especially in respect to the Middle East — how much is he being influenced by his gift and his business deals . ”
Trump, however, defended it in a post on his Truth Social platform, writing:
This clause originally appeared onHuffPost .
