president Donald TrumpThe administration management was the first to communicate with Qatar about obtaining $ 400 million in Air Force One, according to a report from CNN.
The report, which cited four individuals familiar with this, adds a context to the repeated assurances of the administration that the plane was simply a “gift” from the state of the Gulf.
Newsweek I arrived at the White House and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via email to comment. the Pentagon Referred Newsweek To the White House.
Why do it matter
The administration’s decision to accept the plane was He met legal and moral scrutiny from Legislators to Both parties Besides Long supporters From the president. Critics suggested that donation could be an attempt by Qatar in favor of the curry with the administration and Trump himself, in addition to a violation of constitutional provisions that prevent public officials from using their office to achieve special gains or gifts from foreign countries.
Trump and his novel defended the donation as a permitted transition between the Qatari Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense, and said that the plane would be handed over to the Trump Library Corporation at the end of his term.
What do you know
Trump He toured Qatar Boeing 747-8 in FebruaryThe White House said is “checking the new devices”, and highlighting “Boeing’s failure to introduce a new air force on time as it promised.”
According to CNN, an introduction to this visit came after Trump took office in January, and administrative frustrations with Boeing pushed to search for an alternative in a meantime. At the same time, the President assigned the Middle East envoy Steve Witkev to search for a suitable plane. Yakouf, responsible with Long -term trade relations with the Qatari governmentAccording to what was stated, he played a major role in starting talks between Doha and Washington.
Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images
the New York Times Likewise, based on the interviews with many people concerned, the White House was looking for a plane capable of adapting it to the presidential fleet, and that Witkoff may communicate with Qataris to explore the possibility of obtaining the plane.
President Trump described the transfer of the plane from the Qatari royal family as “our Ministry of Defense contribution”, while insisting that Qatar will not receive anything in return and that the donation was a “gift” for a “good job”.
“I thought it was a great gesture, Trump He said Earlier this month. “And I think it was a gesture because of the fact that we helped us [Qatar] And continue. We’ll rise – we will continue. All of these countries – the Arabic heavenly, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and others – we preserve it safe. “
The president added that he “is very disappointed” with Boeing for his failure to achieve his original contract of $ 3.9 billion to replace the advanced VC-25A fleet with a designated 747-8s. When the contract was signed during Trump’s term, Trump officials expected that the aircraft would be “ready for the mission” by 2024.
However, this schedule has been returned several times, as Boeing admitted the struggle to present “very complex planes”. Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reported that Boeing had informed federal officials that the two planes would not be ready for service until 2035, citing people familiar with the discussion.
What people say
President Donald Trump Published to the social truth: “Boeing 747 is granted to the United States Air Force/Ministry of Defense, not mine! It is a A gift from a nationQatar, which we have successfully defended for many years. It will be used by our government as the temporary Air Force, until the time reaches the new Boeing, which has been very late in delivery. “
White House press secretary Caroline Levitt During a press conference on Monday, he said: “Let’s be very clear, the Qatar -Qatari government [royal] The family – this plane was presented to the US Air Force, where this donation will be accepted according to all legal and ethical obligations. “
A special envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkev motive Trump accepts the plane ABC“It is a completely legal treatment; it has been examined by the White House lawyer, by the Ministry of Justice, there are external law firm companies. Therefore, it is completely legal, from the government to the government, the Ministry of Defense to the services that this situation occurs, and the creation of these things that happen in these things that occur in these things. For our economy, for the growth of our economy, and everything always tends to do something good for the American public, for taxpayers American.
Governorate Bint bin Shabiro He said in a hadith podcast: “Take chimneys from good things from people who support agitationThe Muslim Brotherhood, Al Jazeera All that remains – this is not America first. Please define America first in a way that you should take chimneys of cash from the Royals forces. “
The leader of the minority in the Jeffrez Rights Council The donation was described as an “unconstitutional gift” during a press conference last week.
“Donald Trump publicly defends the acceptance of a 400 million dollar aviation palace from a close ally for Iran and Hamas. I mean, you cannot make these things,” he added.
What happens after that?
The final timetable for transportation remains unclear, as well as whether aircraft can be repaired sufficiently for the presidential fleet during Trump’s second term. Moreover, Senate Minority Chuck Shomer He said on Monday that it will submit a draft law aimed at preventing the Pentagon from “using money to buy or amend foreign aircraft for presidential flights”, adding more complications to the administration’s efforts to secure the Qatari plane.
