The Qatari royal family is set to gift United States
President Donald Trump a luxury Boeing 747-800 plane.
Citing sources within the US government familiar with the
matter, ABC News reported that Trump
will receive the donation.
The New York Times also reported on the
development, crediting White House sources.
The 13-year-old aircraft is said to cost about $400 million.
According to both reports, it will be upgraded to serve as
Air Force One.
The Qatari royal family is among the wealthiest royal
families in the world, with an estimated net worth of around $335 billion as of
February.
This will arguably be the biggest foreign gift ever received
by the US government, with its magnitude subject to intense legal scrutiny and
public debate.
ABC News reported that the plane will initially be
transferred to the US Air Force, which will modify the jet to meet the US
military specifications required for any aircraft used to transport the
president.
A government official said the plane will later be donated
to Trump’s presidential library when he leaves office, allowing him to continue
using it as a private citizen.
Anticipating kickback, Pam Bondi, attorney general, and
David Warrington, Trump’s top White House lawyer, have reportedly already
drafted documents concluding that it would be “legally permissible” for the
president to receive the donation.
They have also argued that it is acceptable for the aircraft
to be turned over to the Trump library, and that it does not violate laws
against bribery or the constitution’s prohibition of any US government official
accepting gifts “from any King, Prince or foreign State”.
The plan comes as Trump prepares to visit three nations in
the Middle East, including Qatar.
The US president had previously expressed a need for a new
official plane
The 13-year-old aircraft is said to cost about $400 million.
According to both reports, it will be upgraded to serve as
Air Force One.
The Qatari royal family is among the wealthiest royal
families in the world, with an estimated net worth of around $335 billion as of
February.
This will arguably be the biggest foreign gift ever received
by the US government, with its magnitude subject to intense legal scrutiny and
public debate.
ABC News reported that the plane will initially be
transferred to the US Air Force, which will modify the jet to meet the US
military specifications required for any aircraft used to transport the
president.
A government official said the plane will later be donated
to Trump’s presidential library when he leaves office, allowing him to continue
using it as a private citizen.
Anticipating kickback, Pam Bondi, attorney general, and
David Warrington, Trump’s top White House lawyer, have reportedly already
drafted documents concluding that it would be “legally permissible” for the
president to receive the donation.
They have also argued that it is acceptable for the aircraft
to be turned over to the Trump library, and that it does not violate laws
against bribery or the constitution’s prohibition of any US government official
accepting gifts “from any King, Prince or foreign State”.
The plan comes as Trump prepares to visit three nations in
the Middle East, including Qatar.
The US president had previously expressed a need for a new
official plane
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