Democrats are calling for an ethical investigation into President Donald Trump accepts a $400 million jet from Qatar. Qatar will temporarily serve as the Air Force after he takes office and before being assigned to Trump’s presidential library.
Rep. Ritchie Torres, DN.Y., wrote a letter to the government’s accountability office on Sunday, saying the plane would be the single most expensive gift the US president has received. Torres rids the transaction as a “flying glyft,” claiming it is in violation of the emoluments clause of the US Constitution, and expressly prohibits public offices from accepting “any kind, any kind of thing, of any kind” from kings, princes or foreign countries. ”
“I am writing to express a warning about the report that President Donald Trump is poised to accept a gorgeous aircraft (Boeing 747-8) from the Qatar government. The plane has now become known as the gorgeous “palaces of the sky.”
“This ‘Flying Grift” is just the latest chapter in Toudrey’s story of unprecedented presidential benefits in American history,” added Torres.
Trump teases “a very big announcement” ahead of his trip to the Middle East, with Carney saying he’s “at the edge of my seat.”
President Donald Trump says he plans to accept the $400 million jet gift from Qatar. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Trump explained the deal in his own words on social media in a Sunday night post.
“So the fact that the Department of Defense is temporarily giving away 747 aircraft for free to replace the 40-year-old Air Force with a very public and transparent deal is bothering the bent Democrats we claim we will pay for the plane,” he wrote.
“Anyone can do that! Dem is a world-class loser!!!” he added.
Trump Staff Raided Air Force 1 on a box of items seized by the FBI in 2022
ABC News reported that Trump toured a plane in West Palm Beach earlier this year. The deal is scheduled to be announced during this week’s trip to Trump to the Middle East, but the actual deal is not expected to take place until later. Qatari officials say they are hoping they will donate planes through the Pentagon.
Rep. Richie Torres, a Democrat from New York, is calling for an ethical investigation into President Donald Trump’s plan to accept Qatar jets as a gift. (Aldrago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“The possibility of transfer of aircraft for temporary use as Air Force 1 is currently under consideration between Qatar and the US Department of Defense, but the issue remains under review by their respective legal departments and no decision has been made.”
For decades, the president has circumvented the emoluments clause for decades by classifying the gifts he receives while in office as gifts to the president’s office. These gifts will be catalogued and kept as part of the Presidential Library after their inauguration. The president maintains some access to items in the library, but they do not own them directly and must purchase them from the federal government to ensure personal ownership.
Trump Staff Raided Air Force 1 on a box of items seized by the FBI in 2022
It is unclear how the costs will be allocated for maintenance and usage costs if Jet enters Trump’s Presidential Library.
The Boeing 747-8, the same general model that was given to Trump, sits on a tarmac. (Getty Images)
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When he was not in office as president, Trump traveled a private Boeing 757 jet called Trump Force 1. The jet has become famous for its Trump surname and was frequently seen against the backdrop of campaign rally.
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter for Fox News Digital, covering national politics and major broken news events. Submit your tip to anders.hagstrom@fox.com or via Twitter: @hagstrom_anders.
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