Donald Trump’s decision to accept a $400 million “gift” from Qatar caused a lot of buzz. The President was criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike for his decision. A new report claims that the luxurious jet that Trump accepted from the nation wasn’t a gift at all.
At the beginning of the month, the Qatari Defense Ministry offered the American president a $400 million jet. Trump’s acceptance of the gift immediately backfired as people started questioning if it was appropriate for the head of state to do so. Trump even came forward to note how “stupid” it would be to decline the generous gift.
The Trump administration was the first to approach Doha regarding the Boeing aircraft, according to a new CNN report. This happened after Boeing broke the news to the Pentagon that it would not be able to deliver replacements for the existing Air Force One until 2027.
An unnamed senior White House official revealed how Trump ordered Steve Witkoff to look into solutions for the roadblock. The Middle East envoy was asked to find a list of viable options. Boeing then provided the US government with a list of clients who have planes that can be put to use.
“Qatar was one of the clients,” another source shared with CNN. Pentagon reportedly “offered to buy the plane,” and Doha agreed to sell. Another source told the publication how a discussion of leasing the plane instead of buying it was also broached. “The matter is still with the legal teams and no decision has been made at all,” the source noted.
BREAKING: Donald Trump boards the $400M luxury jet, that the Qatar government “gifted” him – for the first time. pic.twitter.com/chuNn8eyjJ
— PaulleyTicks (@PaulleyTicks) May 12, 2025
It was Trump who reportedly put his foot down and demanded that the aircraft be given to the US government “free of charge” and considered as a “gift.” Karoline Leavitt revealed that the new aircraft was a “donation to our country” in a briefing on Monday.
The Press Secretary went on to add that the royal family had decided to “donate” the plane to the US Air Force. Leavitt shared that the donation would be accepted while keeping “legal and ethical obligations” in mind.
Trump’s decision to graciously accept the gift from Doha was widely scrutinized. “Some people say, ‘Oh, you shouldn’t accept gifts for the country.’ My attitude is, why wouldn’t I accept the gift? We’re giving to everybody else,” he defended his decision in a Fox News interview.
World’s coatliest gift
Given by Qatar to Donald Trump
Luxury Jet worth 3400 crores pic.twitter.com/Si4Vz9dThp
— Sanjeeva Tekriwal (@SanjeevaTe49601) May 15, 2025
Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, came forward to clear the air. The diplomat labelled the gift as a “government-to-government deal” while noting that it was being unnecessarily “politicized.” He added, “It’s basically part of a cooperation that we’ve been doing a lot together.”
Both leaders downplaying the gift did not keep critics and fans alike from talking about it. “No one gives someone a $400 million dollar jet for free without expecting anything in return,” Hillary Clinton wrote on X. Laura Loomer, who is a loyal Trump supporter, revealed how she was “so disappointed” by Trump’s decision.
Scroll below to see pictures of Trump on a trip to Doha.
