Prominent Republicans and Trump allies have voiced strong opposition to President Donald Trump's reported plan to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 aircraft from Qatar's royal family, raising concerns about national security implications and ethical standards.
Former UN ambassador Nikki Haley condemned the arrangement, which would see the Qatari government provide Trump with a lavish aircraft reportedly valued at approximately $400 million.
"Accepting gifts from foreign nations is never a good practice. It threatens intelligence and national security. Especially when that nation supports a terrorist organization and allows those terrorist regimes to live on its soil," Haley said in a post on X. "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."
A $400 million plane is not a gift, it's a bribe. It's turning my stomach that Qatar, a state sponsor of terror, has become a major player on the global stage. Hamas is celebrating, which is all you need to know. Thank you so much @KatrinaSzish for having me @NEWSMAX. pic.twitter.com/n1TiP65stV
— Batya Ungar-Sargon (@bungarsargon) May 12, 2025
Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro echoed these concerns. "Taking sacks of goodies from people who support Hamas, Muslim Brotherhood, Al Jazeera, all the rest, that's not America First," Shapiro said. "I think if we switch the names to Hunter Biden and Joe Biden, we'd all be freaking out on the right. If you want President Trump to succeed, this kind of skeezy stuff needs to stop."
Even staunch Trump supporter Laura Loomer expressed reservations about the arrangement. "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 stated.
This is the $400 million 'palace in the sky' Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet being gifted to Trump by the Qatari Royal Family.
Trump confirmed his administration was preparing to accept the aircraft, calling it a "very public and transparent transaction."
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) May 12, 2025
Trump defended his plan to accept the luxury aircraft from Qatar's royal family at the White House on Monday, saying, "It is a very nice gesture. They're giving us a gift. I could be a stupid person and say, 'We don't want a free plane.' It helps us out."
According to reports, the aircraft would be transferred to the US Air Force, which would operate it during Trump's term before it would be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation after his presidency. White House officials have maintained that the arrangement is legal since the aircraft is being given to the Air Force rather than to Trump personally.
The current presidential aircraft fleet includes two Boeing 747-200 planes that have been in operation since 1990. A contract to replace them was signed in 2018 but has faced significant delays, with Boeing previously estimating delivery no earlier than 2029.
