Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State, expressed doubt on Wednesday, May 14, about Qatar’s $400 million aircraft gift to President Donald Trump. Clinton is among the growing number of critics questioning the unique arrangement.
“No one gives someone a $400 million dollar jet for free without expecting anything in return. Be serious,” Clinton wrote on X.
The contentious gift has become a focal point of debate in Washington, D.C., as President Trump embarked on his Middle East visit this week. The Boeing 747-8 aircraft, referred to as a “palace in the sky” by some, is designated for temporary use as Air Force One by the Pentagon and will eventually be added to Trump’s presidential library post-presidency.
The arrangement has raised concerns among lawmakers from both parties regarding potential ethical, constitutional, and security issues. Republican Senators, including Ted Cruz of Texas and John Thune of South Dakota have expressed apprehensions, with Cruz highlighting espionage and surveillance risks associated with the plane.
President Trump has staunchly defended the arrangement, asserting during his Middle East trip that turning down such a gift would not be wise. “I could be a stupid person and say, ‘No, we don’t want a free, very expensive airplane,’ but I thought it was a great gesture,” Trump told reporters on Monday, May 12.
Trump has voiced frustration over delays in the delivery of new Air Force One jets from Boeing, initially contracted during his first term for a 2024 delivery but now postponed until 2027. The current presidential aircraft is approximately 40 years old.
The White House asserts that the gift, valued between $250 million and $400 million, is intended for the Department of Defense rather than Trump personally. Administration officials have assured that the process is transparent and compliant with relevant laws.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has dismissed claims of attempting to influence the Trump administration. In a Fox News interview with Bret Baier, Al Thani described the controversy as exaggerated and politically driven.
Al Thani denied expectations of political favors, labeling the arrangement as a “government-to-government dealing” and part of ongoing cooperation between the two countries, according to reports of the interview.
Ethics experts have voiced significant concerns about the unprecedented nature of the gift. Richard Briffault, a professor at Columbia Law School, referred to the situation as a “textbook case of a violation of the Emoluments Clause” of the Constitution, which prohibits U.S. officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a watchdog organization, has been notably vocal about the ethical concerns. Their communications vice president Jordan Libowitz remarked that the gift is “especially concerning because of Trump’s personal business dealings in the Gulf and in Qatar specifically.”
Security experts have also questioned the viability of using the Qatari aircraft as Air Force One, noting that substantial modifications would be required to meet the rigorous security standards for presidential transport. These upgrades could cost hundreds of millions of additional dollars and take up to two years to complete, according to current and former officials familiar with the requirements.
Democratic lawmakers have been particularly critical of the arrangement. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has pledged to block all of Trump’s Justice Department nominees until the agency provides more information on the Qatari offer.
House Democrats, led by Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, have launched an investigation into the acceptance of the aircraft, with some Democrats suggesting that the arrangement potentially violates the Constitution’s prohibition on receiving gifts from foreign governments.
The controversy arose during Trump’s Middle East tour, which resulted in significant deals, including Qatar Airways‘ agreement to purchase up to 210 American-made Boeing aircraft in a deal valued at $96 billion.
The relationship between the U.S. and Qatar has evolved considerably since Trump’s first term, when he accused the Gulf nation of funding terrorism. Qatar hosts a significant U.S. military base and has been designated a major non-NATO ally.
Legal experts remain divided on whether the arrangement violates constitutional prohibitions. Some argue that because the plane would be gifted to the Defense Department rather than to Trump personally, it may be legally permissible. Others contend that the eventual transfer to Trump’s presidential library makes the arrangement constitutionally problematic.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, who previously worked as a registered lobbyist for Qatar, reportedly approved a Justice Department memo endorsing the legality of the arrangement, raising additional concerns about potential conflicts of interest in the approval process.