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Tuesday, May 13, 2025
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Senate Democrats Move to Censure Trump Over Qatar Jet Gift
Democrats seek a vote to censure Donald Trump for allegedly accepting a luxury jet from Qatar amidst concerns over national security and conflicts of interest.
Top Democrats in the United States Senate are advocating for a censure vote regarding former President Donald Trump’s reported plan to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet from the Qatari royal family.
The proposed gift, valued at approximately $400 million, is intended for use as Air Force One during Trump’s presidency and later as an exhibit in his personal presidential library.
Four Democratic senators from the foreign relations committee, Cory Booker (New Jersey), Brian Schatz (Hawaii), Chris Coons (Delaware), and Chris Murphy (Connecticut), announced their intention to press for a vote later this week.
They assert that U.S. law prohibits elected officials, including the president, from accepting substantial gifts from foreign governments unless explicitly authorized by Congress.
The senators have characterized the acceptance of the jet as a significant conflict of interest and a potential threat to national security.
In a joint statement, they emphasized that "Air Force One is more than just a plane – it’s a symbol of the presidency and of the United States itself" and asserted that public service should not be exploited for personal gain through foreign gifts.
The Qatari government has indicated that a final decision on the jet has yet to be reached.
However, Trump seemingly confirmed the transaction over the weekend, stating on social media that it would proceed as a "very public and transparent transaction."
According to reports, the 13-year-old aircraft would initially be outfitted by the U.S. military for presidential use and subsequently be displayed in Trump’s presidential library, effectively providing him with a personal asset.
This development coincides with Trump’s upcoming tour of the Middle East, during which he will visit Qatar.
Additionally, the United Arab Emirates has attracted scrutiny over its financial dealings with Trump.
Recently, it was disclosed that an Abu Dhabi-based investment firm invested $2 billion in a stablecoin venture associated with Trump’s World Liberty Financial crypto company, linking it to the cryptocurrency exchange Binance.
Senate Democrats are also preparing to challenge Trump’s potential conflicts of interest in regards to military arms sales to foreign nations.
Senator Murphy, a vocal critic of such conflicts during Trump’s administration, has expressed intentions to leverage congressional rules governing arms sales to instigate a comprehensive debate and Senate vote concerning both the Qatari jet and the UAE's stablecoin investment.
Murphy has publicly stated his intent to object to any military transactions involving nations that financially benefit Trump, contending that such practices should not be normalized in U.S. foreign policy.
He characterized the proposed arrangement between Qatar and Trump as "nuclear grade graft."
Despite the criticism, Trump has dismissed the concerns raised by Democrats, describing Qatar’s offer as a "great gesture" and expressing a reluctance to decline such an offer.
The proposed gift, valued at approximately $400 million, is intended for use as Air Force One during Trump’s presidency and later as an exhibit in his personal presidential library.
Four Democratic senators from the foreign relations committee, Cory Booker (New Jersey), Brian Schatz (Hawaii), Chris Coons (Delaware), and Chris Murphy (Connecticut), announced their intention to press for a vote later this week.
They assert that U.S. law prohibits elected officials, including the president, from accepting substantial gifts from foreign governments unless explicitly authorized by Congress.
The senators have characterized the acceptance of the jet as a significant conflict of interest and a potential threat to national security.
In a joint statement, they emphasized that "Air Force One is more than just a plane – it’s a symbol of the presidency and of the United States itself" and asserted that public service should not be exploited for personal gain through foreign gifts.
The Qatari government has indicated that a final decision on the jet has yet to be reached.
However, Trump seemingly confirmed the transaction over the weekend, stating on social media that it would proceed as a "very public and transparent transaction."
According to reports, the 13-year-old aircraft would initially be outfitted by the U.S. military for presidential use and subsequently be displayed in Trump’s presidential library, effectively providing him with a personal asset.
This development coincides with Trump’s upcoming tour of the Middle East, during which he will visit Qatar.
Additionally, the United Arab Emirates has attracted scrutiny over its financial dealings with Trump.
Recently, it was disclosed that an Abu Dhabi-based investment firm invested $2 billion in a stablecoin venture associated with Trump’s World Liberty Financial crypto company, linking it to the cryptocurrency exchange Binance.
Senate Democrats are also preparing to challenge Trump’s potential conflicts of interest in regards to military arms sales to foreign nations.
Senator Murphy, a vocal critic of such conflicts during Trump’s administration, has expressed intentions to leverage congressional rules governing arms sales to instigate a comprehensive debate and Senate vote concerning both the Qatari jet and the UAE's stablecoin investment.
Murphy has publicly stated his intent to object to any military transactions involving nations that financially benefit Trump, contending that such practices should not be normalized in U.S. foreign policy.
He characterized the proposed arrangement between Qatar and Trump as "nuclear grade graft."
Despite the criticism, Trump has dismissed the concerns raised by Democrats, describing Qatar’s offer as a "great gesture" and expressing a reluctance to decline such an offer.
