Trump’s $400M Qatari Jet Gift Sparks Constitutional Clash with Democrats

President Donald Trump’s acceptance of a $400 million Boeing 747 from Qatar’s royal family has sparked a firestorm of criticism from Democrats, who label the move a blatant violation of the U.S. Constitution’s Emoluments Clause. The clause prohibits elected officials from accepting foreign gifts without congressional approval, and Trump’s decision to take the jet—intended as a temporary Air Force One—has ignited accusations of corruption and threats to national security.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) didn’t mince words, declaring the act unconstitutional and a mockery of legal standards. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called it 'farcically corrupt,' warning against unchecked kleptocracy. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) went further, accusing Trump of trading national security for personal gain in a fiery Senate floor speech. Other Democrats, including Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), flagged the deal as 'smelly' and risky, urging Congress to step in.

Trump, unfazed, defended the gift as a pragmatic win for the U.S., arguing it saves taxpayers hundreds of millions by providing a free aircraft for government use. He emphasized that the jet, donated to the U.S. Air Force, isn’t his personal property. The deal comes alongside broader agreements with Qatar, including a major purchase of 160 American Boeing planes and defense pacts signed in Doha. Yet, critics remain skeptical, with Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) demanding an ethics probe into the transaction.

The controversy underscores deeper tensions about foreign influence in U.S. politics. While Trump frames the jet as a diplomatic boon, opponents see it as a dangerous precedent, questioning the motives behind such a lavish gift.