White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to concerns about news of a Qatari gift of a luxury 747 to the United States for President Donald Trump’s use.
Leavitt was questioned about the gift by Fox News reporter Brian Kilmeade Monday morning, as he asked her if there were any concerns that the Qatari government would expect any return favors from the president.
‘Absolutely not, because they know President Trump and they know that he only works with the interest of the American public in mind,’ Leavitt replied.
Leavitt confirmed that the legal process to accept the gracious gift was still under legal review.
‘The legal details of that are still being worked out but of course any donation to this government is always done in full compliance with the law.’
She said the White House would continue to demonstrate the ‘utmost transparency’ in the transfer.
President Donald Trump also hit back at criticism of the gift of a $400 million ‘flying palace’ by the Qatari royal family amid fierce backlash from Democrats and MAGA loyalists.
Trump will reportedly keep the plane for his personal use after leaving the White House in a deal which would see ownership transferred to his presidential library foundation at the end of his term.
Qatar has offered Trump the $400 million super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet for him to use as Air Force One after infuriating and costly delays to an order he placed with Boeing for two new aircrafts during his first term in 2018.
‘The Defense Department is getting a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40 year old Air Force One, temporarily, in a very public and transparent transaction, so bothers the Crooked Democrats,’ Trump wrote on Sunday night.
He said Democrats ‘insist we pay TOP DOLLAR for the plane… The Dems are World Class Losers!!!! MAGA.’
But Democrats aren’t the only critics of the plan. Some of Trump’s most loyal MAGA followers have been the most outspoken and vocal complainants.
MAGA influencer Laura Loomer led the charge on Sunday, writing on X: ‘I love President Trump. I would take a bullet for him.
‘But, I have to call a spade a spade. We cannot accept a $400 million ‘gift’ from jihadists in suits.’
Loomer claimed Qataris ‘fund the same Iranian proxies in Hamas and Hezbollah who have murdered US Service Members. The same proxies that have worked with the Mexican cartels to get jihadists across our border.’
She added: ‘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.’
Fox News host and Trump ally Mark Levin also weighed in on Sunday, sharing Loomer’s post in full and writing ‘ditto’, before launching into his own criticism.
‘Qatar must stop buying our colleges and universities and spreading their anti-American, Jew-hating propaganda and funding terrorist groups and front groups.
‘Their jet and all the other things they are buying in our country does not provide them with the cover they seek. It is a terror state. That is beyond dispute or their bank accounts.’
Trump’s argument remains that the current presidential plane is so old that it needs to be replaced, and Qatar is offering to gift such a replacement without any cost to the American government or taxpayer.
In an extraordinary sign of the friendship between Trump and Qatar’s royals, the opulent plane will reportedly be transferred to the ownership of Trump’s presidential library foundation no later than January 1, 2029, according to the ABC.
This effectively ensures the aircraft remains in Trump’s possession rather than passing on to a future president or returning to Qatar.
The administration has boasted strengthened ties with Qatari officials – a far cry from Trump’s 2017 criticism of Doha as a ‘funder of terrorism’ and ‘radical ideology.’
Trump will visit Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates this week.
The Trump Organization, which is now largely run by his sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, has vast and growing interests in the Middle East.
That includes a new deal to build a luxury golf resort in Qatar, partnering with Qatari Diar, and plans to build a new Trump Tower in Dubai.
The plane Trump has been offered boasts ornate suites, staterooms, lounges and dining rooms. Nearly every room on board has plush carpeting, leather couches and golden furnishes.
The conference room has gorgeous tan and cream chairs with deep cushions that are adjustable with the push of a button.
The corridors of the plane are lined with reflective, gold-colored walls that are reminiscent of Trump’s design choices at his own properties such as Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan.
The interior of the plane was designed by famed French interior design firm Alberto Pinto Cabinet.
It is considered one of the most lavish in the world and once listed for about $400 million, according to the Business Jet Traveler.
Trump’s criticism of Democrats on Sunday night came amid widespread outrage within the left of the gift.
Senator Chris Murphy wrote: ‘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?
‘It’s simply a cash payment to Trump in exchange for favors. Just wildly illegal.’
Chuck Schumer 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.’
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who is currently on a tour of America titled the Fighting Oligarchy Tour, slammed the reported deal on X.
‘I don’t know who needs to hear this, but NO, Donald Trump cannot accept a $400 million flying palace from the royal family of Qatar,’ he write.
‘Not only is this farcically corrupt, it is blatantly unconstitutional. Congress must not allow this over-the-top kleptocracy to proceed.’
Representatives Jamie Raskin and Ritchie Torres both separately referred to the gift as a ‘grift.’
Torres has asked for the matter to be investigated in a letter to the US Government Accountability Office, the Office of Government Ethics and the acting Department of Defense inspector general.
Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar’s media spokesman, said in a statement that the ‘possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is currently under consideration between Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense.’
‘But the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments, and no decision has been made,’ the statement added.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt railed against suggestions of impropriety, issuing a statement which said: ‘President Trump’s Administration is committed to full transparency.
‘Any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws.’
In a sign that the administration anticipated backlash over the gift, Attorney General Pam Bondi has reportedly investigated the legality of accepting it.
She determined that because the gift is not conditional it would not constitute bribery.
Similarly, it would not run afoul of Constitutional limits to foreign gifts because the plane would be handed first to the United States Air Force and eventually to the presidential library foundation – not to any one individual, sources told the ABC.
Bondi served as a foreign agent and lobbyist for the Embassy of the State of Qatar prior to returning to politics and joining Trump’s cabinet. In her role advocating Qatari interests, she earned as much as $115,0000 per month.
The unprecedented gift was reportedly expected to be announced next week when Trump visits Qatar, but the offer is yet to be formally accepted.
Trump has been underwhelmed by Boeing’s efforts to deliver a new pair of state-of-the-art planes to replace the old ones that have been in service since George H.W. Bush administration.
Boeing has fallen so behind on the $3.9 billion project that it now fears it won’t be able to finish building the planes before Trump leaves office. They were supposed to be finished last year, but a series of supplier and engineering snags has caused the project to take years and go billions over budget.
Trump reportedly toured the jet when it was parked at the West Palm Beach International Airport back in February.
Defense contractor L3Harris has the enormous task of retrofitting the Qatari jet with the most advanced communications and defense systems in the world in order to make the aircraft fit for the American commander-in-chief.
These apparatuses give the president the ability to have a mobile command center in the sky so he can make crucial decisions in event the US were militarily attacked.
According to the ABC, it ‘may be the most valuable gift ever extended to the United States from a foreign government.’
A White House official reportedly insisted the gift will not ‘be presented or gifted’ during the President’s highly anticipated tour of the region this week.
Trump will spend four days touring Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.