You ’ll never judge who said this affirmation : " I recollect if we switch the names to Hunter Biden and Joe Biden , we ’d all be freaking out on the rightfield . "
This week, Donald Trumpmade headlinesforreportedlyconsidering to accept a $400 million Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet as a gift from Qatar’s royal family, whichwould possibly bethe most expensive gift ever received by the American government in history. Trump said the jet could be used as the new Air Force One — after he leaves office, it mayreportedlybe transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation.
Critics are calling the movecorruptand in possible violation of the Constitution’sforeign emoluments clause, which states that no person in office is to accept a present from “any King, Prince, or foreign State” without the consent of Congress.
And now, even his own party and strongest supporters are vehemently speaking out against accepting the “flying palace.” Here’s what some had to say:
“Accepting gifts from foreign nations is never a good practice. It threatens intelligence and national security,“wroteNikki Haley, who served as ambassador to the United Nations during Trump’s first term. “Regardless of how beautiful the plane may be, it opens a door and implies the President and US can be bought. If this were Biden, we would be furious.”
Laura Loomer, a prominentfar-right conspiracy theoristwho has previouslycalledherself a “proud Islamophobe,” said the jet is a “stain” on Trump’s presidency. “I love President Trump. I would take a bullet for him. But, I have to call a spade a spade,” shewrote. “This is really going to be such a stain on the admin if this is true. And I say that as someone who would take a bullet for Trump. I’m so disappointed.”
In an interview with Fox News, Republican Sen. John Kennedysaid, “I trust Qatar like I trust a rest stop bathroom. If they want to be friendly, I want to be friendly back. But with those guys, you know, trust in God, but tie up your camel.”
Ben Shapiro, a conservative political commentator,criticizedTrump’s $400-million gift on his podcast,saying,“Taking sacks of goodies from people who support Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, Al Jazeera, all the rest, that’s not America First.” He continued, “If you want President Trump to succeed, this kind of skeezy stuff needs to stop.”
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, an avid supporter of Trump, even expressed hesitancy about Trump’s $400 million gift. Grahamsaid,“Air Force One is the symbol of America. When it lands or flies, it is America flying and landing. And I want to make sure that this whole thing is kosher. Time will tell.”
OneMAGA voterin ther/Conservativesubreddit also expressed concern over Trump accepting the gift,writing,“I don’t care which part it is, I don’t think any elected official should receive ANY gifts from foreign or domestic parties! Too easily gives the impression of impropriety. I voted for Trump and every other Republican since voting for Perot.”
“Could you imagine the outcry if Obama accepted such a thing?” ar/AskConservativecommenter wrote.
Another commenter expressed having"zero regrets"voting for Trump, but said they “can’t square” his decision to keep the plane. “There’s no such thing as a ‘gift’ in politics…Trump needs to explain this, without calling reporters stupid,” theywrote.
On his part, Trump seemed to defend potentially accepting the gift via his platform Truth Social.
