Donald Trump has defended the possibility of being gifted an Air Force One replacement by the Qatari royal family.
Described in some reports as a “palace in the sky”, the Boeing 747-8 jumbo would be from the Qatari royal family and Mr Trump would keep it after his presidency ended, Sky News’ US partner NBC News reported.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said any gift would comply with the relevant laws.
Taking to his own social media platform, Mr Trump tried to defend the possibility.
He said: “So the fact that the Defense Department is getting a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40 year old Air Force One, temporarily, in a very public and transparent transaction, so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, TOP DOLLAR, for the plane.
“Anybody can do that! The Dems are World Class Losers!!! MAGA”.
Article I, section nine, clause 8 of the US Constitution reads: “No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.”
Ali al Ansari, Qatar’s media attache to the US, said the “possible transfer of an aircraft … is currently under consideration”.
Democrats have said the president must seek Congress’s consent to accept such a gift.
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Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said: “Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar.
“It’s not just bribery, it’s premium foreign influence with extra legroom.”
