Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed doubt on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, regarding Qatar’s $400 million aircraft gift to President Donald Trump. This skepticism adds to the growing number of critics questioning the unique arrangement.
“No one gives someone a $400 million jet for free without expecting anything in return. Be serious,” Clinton wrote on X.
The controversial gift has become a focal point of debate in Washington, D.C., as President Trump visits the Middle East this week. The Boeing 747-8 aircraft, described as a “palace in the sky,” is intended to be transferred to the Pentagon as a temporary Air Force One and later donated to Trump’s presidential library post-presidency.
Lawmakers from both parties have raised concerns about possible ethical issues, constitutional questions, and security risks associated with the gift. Republican Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and John Thune of South Dakota have voiced their reservations. Cruz specifically noted the aircraft “poses significant espionage and surveillance problems,” according to reports.
President Trump has defended the arrangement, stating during his Middle East trip that rejecting such a gift would be unwise. “I could be a stupid person and say, ‘No, we don’t want a free, very expensive airplane,’ but I thought it was a great gesture,” Trump told reporters on Monday, May 12.
Trump has expressed frustration over delays in delivering upgraded Air Force One jets from Boeing, initially contracted during his first term for delivery in 2024 but now expected in 2027. The current presidential aircraft has been in use for about 40 years.
The White House states that the gift, valued between $250 million and $400 million, is being made to the Department of Defense rather than to Trump personally. Officials assert that the process is transparent and adheres to applicable laws.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has dismissed claims that his country seeks to buy influence with the Trump administration. In a Fox News interview with Bret Baier, Al Thani described the controversy as exaggerated and politically driven. He denied any expectation of political favors, stating that the arrangement is a “government-to-government dealing” and reflects ongoing cooperation between the two nations, as reported in the interview.
Ethics experts have raised significant concerns about the unprecedented nature of the gift. Richard Briffault, a professor at Columbia Law School, referred to the situation as a “textbook case of a violation of the Emoluments Clause” of the Constitution, which prohibits U.S. officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval.
The watchdog organization Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington has been particularly vocal about the ethical concerns. Their communications vice president, Jordan Libowitz noted that the gift is “especially concerning because of Trump’s personal business dealings in the Gulf and in Qatar specifically.”
Security experts have questioned the feasibility of using the Qatari aircraft as Air Force One, noting that significant modifications would be necessary to meet the rigorous security requirements for presidential transport. According to officials familiar with the requirements, these upgrades could cost hundreds of millions of dollars and take up to two years to complete.
Democratic lawmakers have been particularly critical. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has pledged to block all of Trump’s Justice Department nominees until more information about the Qatari offer is provided.
House Democrats, led by Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, have started an investigation into the aircraft’s acceptance. Some Democrats suggest the arrangement may violate the Constitution’s ban on receiving gifts from foreign governments.
The controversy arises during Trump’s Middle East tour, which has already resulted in significant deals, including Qatar Airways‘ agreement to purchase up to 210 American-made Boeing aircraft valued at $96 billion.
The U.S.-Qatar relationship has evolved since Trump’s first term, when he accused the Gulf nation of funding terrorism. Qatar hosts a major U.S. military base and is designated a major non-NATO ally.
Legal experts remain divided on whether the arrangement violates constitutional prohibitions. Some argue that it may be legally permissible since the plane would be gifted to the Defense Department rather than to Trump. Others contend that the eventual transfer to Trump’s presidential library would make the arrangement constitutionally problematic.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, who previously served as a registered lobbyist for Qatar, reportedly approved a Justice Department memo endorsing the arrangement’s legality, raising additional concerns about potential conflicts of interest in the approval process.
