‘It is a gift’, Trump defends plan to accept Qatari jet

U.S. President, Donald Trump has defended his plan to accept an airplane from the Qatari royal family, saying it would be “stupid” to turn down “a gift”.

The $400 million luxury plane, which would be outfitted to serve as Air Force One, would be one of the most valuable gifts ever received by the U.S. government.

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Report of the offer drew immediate criticism from Democrats and advocates of good government, who warned it was a conflict of interest that could influence presidential decisions.

Trump, defending his plan to accept the Qatari jet, wrote on Truth platform, “The Boeing 747 is being given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defense, NOT TO ME! It is a gift from a Nation, Qatar, that we have successfully defended for many years.

“It will be used by our Government as a temporary Air Force One, until such time as our new Boeings, which are very late on delivery, arrive. Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for FREE from a country that wants to reward us for a job well done. This big savings will be spent, instead, to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Only a FOOL would not accept this gift on behalf of our Country. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Trump attributed the offer to accept Qatari jet for U.S. help in the defense of countries in the region including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, all stops on his itinerary this week.

He also said accepting it was a practical decision, and that he was disappointed that Boeing has taken so long to deliver the new Air Force One planes he commissioned during his first term as president.

Critics of the offer said it was unethical and likely unconstitutional.

Democratic Senators Brian Schatz, Chris Murphy, Cory Booker and Chris Coons said in a statement that Trump’s acceptance of the Qatari jet would create a clear conflict of interest, raise serious national security questions and invite foreign influence.

U.S. Representative Joe Courtney of Connecticut, the senior Democrat on the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, said it would distract from the Air Force’s efforts to speed up delivery of the actual new Air Force One fleet.

White House spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt said legal details surrounding the donation to the Defense Department were still being worked out and that the Trump administration was not worried about what the Qataris might ask for in return.

(REUTERS)

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