Former President Donald Trump has come under scrutiny following his acceptance of a Boeing 747-8, a luxury jumbo jet gifted by the government of Qatar. The new aircraft are intended to replace the current Air Force One aircraft. It’s more than five and a half meters longer than the current 747-200B in use by the United States.
The gift was announced just days after Trump’s strange visit to Qatar earlier this month. On that visit, their conversations were about business and trade deals. The announcement quickly sparked a political firestorm from unexpected quarters even if the critics didn’t have their facts straight. The deal, which attracted the attention of high-profile Democrats, including U.S. Senator Cory Booker, was criticized for both its potential impact and legality.
Senator Chris Murphy was unequivocal in his denunciation of the gift, referring to it as “the definition of corruption.” He was even kind enough to call it “wildly illegal.” Trump has largely blown off these criticisms, insisting that taking the luxury jet is a matter of good, practical business. He suggested that upgrading the current fleet would be much cheaper than creating a new one. He waved his hands and told them how big the savings would be.
The Boeing 747-8 has since arrived in the United States and is presently undergoing retrofitting to military specifications standards. When asked whether the aircraft would officially become Air Force One, Trump confirmed that it is being modified for such purposes. Describing the jet, he stated it is a “beautiful, big, magnificent, free airplane for the United States air force.”
Trump jocularly suggested that the $660 million jet, filled with gold fixtures and palatial accommodations, is “too big.” His evaluation is a delightful blend of fun and function. This new model pushes the boundaries of the conventional jumbo jet. It brings up serious questions about whether it’s even appropriate for use on presidential travel.
Regardless of the etiquette involved, the controversy over this particular gift has brought renewed scrutiny onto Trump’s relationship with foreign states. It has raised ethical questions regarding the appropriateness of nonprofits accepting such large gifts from foreign interests. The intense discussions following his visit signal ongoing divisions in political opinions regarding Trump’s policies and actions during his presidency.