Donald Trump has drawn fierce blowback from even a few of his most devoted supporters over the Qatar jumbo jet controversy.
The president has mentioned he’s keen to just accept a $400 million luxurious Boeing 747-8 — which Qatar’s ruling household is reportedly considering to give as a gift — that might be used as Air Power One after which transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Basis when he leaves workplace.
Conservatives and Democrats alike have flamed POTUS over the transfer.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the highest Democrat on the Home Oversight Committee, vented on social media: “Trump should search Congress’ consent to take this $300 million present from Qatar. The Structure is completely clear: no current ‘of any sort no matter’ from a international state with out Congressional permission. A present you employ for 4 years after which deposit in your library continues to be a present (and a grift).”
“This isn’t a good suggestion even when the aircraft was being donated to the U.S. authorities. However Trump GETS TO KEEP THE PLANE???” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) wrote on X, previously Twitter. “It’s merely a money cost to Trump in change for favors. Simply wildly unlawful.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) fumed: “Congress should not enable this over-the-top kleptocracy to proceed.”
Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) added: “Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Power One, dropped at you by Qatar. It’s not simply bribery, it’s premium international affect with further legroom.”
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Unwell.), a longtime critic of Trump, asked: “Didn’t Hunter Biden as soon as promote a portray and get investigated for 4 years?”
The Democratic Party, in the meantime, slammed it as “corruption in plain sight.”
On the opposite aspect of the aisle, conservative radio host and pundit Erick Erickson posted on social media: “The Qatari authorities isn’t our good friend, cooperates with Iran and its proxies, and funds terrorism and pro-terror propaganda all over the world.”
And much-right conspiracist Laura Loomer, often a vocal supporter of Trump slammed the move.
“I like President Trump. I might take a bullet for him. However, I’ve to name a spade a spade,” she wrote, including it’s “actually going to be such a stain on the admin if that is true. And I say that as somebody who would take a bullet for Trump. I’m so disillusioned.”
Jordan Libowitz, of the Residents for Duty and Ethics in Washington watchdog, was quoted by the Associated Press as saying: “You need to ask, if he makes international coverage — particularly regarding the Center East — how a lot is he being influenced by his items and his enterprise offers.”
Trump, nevertheless, defended it in a publish on his Truth Social platform, writing:
“So the truth that the Protection Division is getting a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 plane to exchange the 40 12 months previous Air Power One, quickly, in a really public and clear transaction, so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, TOP DOLLAR, for the aircraft. Anyone can do this! The Dems are World Class Losers!!! MAGA”
