On May 14, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha, amid controversy surrounding an offer from Qatar to gift a Boeing 747 jet, valued at approximately $400 million, to the United States. Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, addressed the allegations on Tuesday, firmly denying that the offer was intended to seek favor with the White House. He described the offer as part of a longstanding, institutional relationship between the two nations, emphasizing that it was a defense transaction conducted with full transparency.
President Trump, who recently visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, faced criticism from opposition parties in the U.S. following Qatar’s proposal. The controversy was further fueled by Qatar’s concurrent agreement to purchase up to 210 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft, which the White House praised as the largest-ever order of its kind from Boeing, a significant U.S. defense contractor.
The Prime Minister stressed that the gesture was standard between allied nations and dismissed any assertions of Qatar attempting to exert influence over the U.S. administration. He reiterated that the relationship is mutually beneficial and conducted openly, likening it to historical gifts between nations without drawing direct comparisons.
Trump stated in a social media post that the jet was intended to temporarily replace the aging Air Force One, with plans for the aircraft to eventually be part of a future presidential library foundation. The current production of a new Air Force One by Boeing is experiencing delays due to supply chain issues.
Democratic lawmakers have raised ethical and security concerns regarding the offer, pointing to the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign states without congressional consent. Several Democrats have introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives, urging President Trump to disclose all plans related to the jet donation to ensure compliance with constitutional provisions.
Critics, including Rep. Jamie Raskin and Sen. Chris Murphy, have called for congressional oversight to prevent potential corruption, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the presidential office. President Trump, however, defended the gift as a gesture from Qatar to support the U.S. Department of Defense during the interim period while Boeing completes the new aircraft, framing it as a practical and beneficial arrangement for both countries.
