Donald Trump says it would be 'stupid' not to accept jet from Qatari royal familyTopic:World Politics1h ago1 hours agoMon 12 May 2025 at 10:51pmTrump toured the private Boeing aircraft to check out new hardware and technology features. (AP: Ben Curtis)In short:US President Donald Trump has dismissed ethical concerns over accepting a $400 million luxury aircraft as a gift from the Qatari royal family.He says the Boeing BA.N 747-8 would eventually be donated to his presidential library.What's next?White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt says legal details surrounding the gift are still being worked out.abc.net.au/news/donald-trump-says-it-would-be-stupid-not-to-accept-qatar-plane/105285084Link copiedShareShare articleUS President Donald Trump has dismissed ethical concerns about his plan to accept an aircraft as a gift from the Qatari royal family, saying it would be "stupid" to turn down the generous offer.The $400 million luxury plane, which would be outfitted to serve as Air Force One, would be one of the most valuable gifts ever received by the US government.News of the offer drew immediate criticism from Democrats and advocates of good government, who warned it was a conflict of interest that could influence presidential decisions.Trump claims 'reset' with China following tariff agreementPhoto shows Donald Trump holds a list of tariffs by country.The US president says he could speak to China's President Xi Jinping by the end of the week, after the two countries agreed to a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs.Mr Trump said the Boeing BA.N 747-8 airplane would eventually be donated to his presidential library — a repository housing research materials from his administration, and that he had no plans to use it for personal reasons after leaving office."I think it's a great gesture from Qatar. I appreciate it very much. I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer," Mr Trump told reporters at the White House before leaving for a trip to the Middle East."I mean, I could be a stupid person saying, 'No, we don't want a free, very expensive airplane,'" Mr Trump said.He attributed the offer to gratitude for US help in the defence of countries in the region including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, all stops on his itinerary this week.Mr Trump also said accepting it was a practical decision, and that he was disappointed that Boeing has taken so long to deliver the new Air Force One planes he commissioned during his first term as president.Critics says offer is unethical and likely unconstitutionalDemocratic senators Brian Schatz, Chris Murphy, Cory Booker and Chris Coons said in a statement that Mr Trump's acceptance of such a gift would create a clear conflict of interest, raise serious national security questions and invite foreign influence.Donald Trump says the offer is a "great" gesture. (AP: Mark Schiefelbein)US Representative Joe Courtney of Connecticut, the senior Democrat on the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, said it would distract from the air force's efforts to speed up delivery of the actual new Air Force One fleet.White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said legal details surrounding the donation to the Department of Defense were still being worked out and that the Trump administration was not worried about what the Qataris might ask for in return.ReutersPosted 1h ago1 hours agoMon 12 May 2025 at 10:51pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesSussan Ley is the new leader of the Liberal party, PM's new ministry being sworn inLIVEPhoto shows A close-up of Jim Chalmers in front of a black background. Sussan Ley becomes first woman to lead Liberal PartyBREAKINGPhoto shows A close up of Sussan Ley smiling. 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