Grifter-in-Chief scores 'flying palace'

Trump says he would be 'stupid' not to take the bribe

May 12, 2025

Screenshot of a Qatari luxury jet courtesy of ABC News, which first broke the story.

Never to be outdone by himself, President Donald Trump has scaled new heights of shameless grift. I try not to get too worked up over every outrage — manufactured by him for effect (making the libs cry), or simply committed out of gilded greed and depravity.

But in a normal world, his latest self-dealing stunt would, if carried through to its conclusion, warrant impeachment as a violation of the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution prohibiting federal officials from accepting gifts, titles, or emoluments (advantages or benefits) from foreign governments without the consent of Congress. In a stunning and disgraceful scheme first reported by ABC’s Jonathan Karl:

… the Trump administration is preparing to accept a super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the royal family of Qatar -- a gift that is to be available for use by President Donald Trump as the new Air Force One until shortly before he leaves office, at which time ownership of the plane will be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation …

The jumbo jet from the Qatari royal family is estimated to be worth about $400 million and has been described as a “flying palace.” Trump would then use the jet, said to be only 13 years old, as the new Air Force One until his term as president ends. At that time, the jet would begin the process of becoming the property of Trump’s presidential library foundation.

Let’s just call it what it is: a bribe. There would be no other reason for the Qatari government to donate a jet of this size and opulence. The royal family will obviously expect a return on an investment of that size.

Ethics aside, Qatar is essentially a feudal monarchy heavily influenced by Sharia law, a repressive version of Islamic law. Qatar is a political and financial supporter of Gaza and its overlord Hamas, the terrorist group that launched the deadly attacks in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. As you might expect, Qatar has a poor human rights record — and Trump has extensive business interests in the region, especially with Saudi Arabia, which borders Qatar.

And as Newsweek has also reported:

At the end of April, The Trump Organization announced a new $5.5 billion Simaisma development of a luxury golf resort north of Doha [the Qatari capital]. The development will include Trump-branded beachside villas and an 18-hole golf course.

I sense an unease even among Trump supporters and MAGA Nation. The president has even lost far-right provocateur Laura Loomer, who branded the Qatari monarchs “jihadists in suits.”

As for the president, here is his defense:

“I mean, I could be a stupid person and say, ‘No, we don’t want a free, very expensive airplane.’ But it was, I thought it was a great gesture.”

Right, given the circumstances — namely that he will never be held accountable — he would indeed be stupid not to take the bribe.

Accepting the aircraft on behalf of the nation would be on thing. But giving it to his own charity is naked corruption that will likely go unpunished on account of 1) he won’t be impeached because Republicans control Congress and 2) since the flying palace will belong initially to the federal government, Trump can declare that he accepted the gift in his official capacity as president. Presumably that will be enough to get him off the hook because the Supreme Court famously ruled last year that presidents and former presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts they took while in office.

And get a load of his reaction when asked about it by reporters: