US President Donald Trump has accepted a luxury jet from Qatar, valued at $400 million, which he claims will serve as a “temporary” Air Force One. However, the move has raised concerns about transparency and corruption.
The gift, presented by the Qatari government to Trump during his visit to Saudi Arabia, has sparked debate over its legitimacy. Critics argue that accepting such a lavish gift from a foreign state can be seen as a form of soft corruption.
Trump recently defended the gift on Truth Social, stating it was given “on behalf of our Country.” However, experts say the decision is indefensible and lacks transparency.
In an attempt to justify his stance, Trump referenced France’s “gift” of the Statue of Liberty, which was actually purchased by the American government in 1886. The statue was presented to the US by the French government as a gift, but it was not accepted by President Grover Cleveland without congressional approval.
The incident has sparked criticism from public figures such as Ann Coulter, who mocked Trump’s claims about the Statue of Liberty. As Trump continues to promote his new plane, many question whether he is genuinely committed to transparency or simply using the issue to deflect attention from other controversies.
Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2025/05/qatar-trump-air-force-one-corruption/682816