Does this Jet Violate the Constitution? Probably. But Since When Did Trump Follow Rules?
“…I’d be stupid to say no to a free plane…”
That’s how Trump defended accepting a $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 from the Qatari government — a gift his Treasury Secretary compared to the Statue of Liberty. But there’s a crucial difference: Lady Liberty was gifted to the American people. The jet is being transferred to Trump’s Presidential Library Foundation.
In a Truth Social post, Trump spun the transaction as the Defense Department “getting a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40-year-old Air Force One, temporarily, in a very public and transparent transaction.”
This Jet Is Not the Statue of Liberty
Like all good Trump defenders, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent doubled down on CNN: “The French gave us the Statue of Liberty. The British gave us the Resolute Desk. I’m not sure they asked for anything in advance.”
But here’s the catch — those gifts were to the nation, not a single man.
The Statue of Liberty was built with funds raised by the French public and was only accepted after congressional approval. The Resolute Desk, a gift from Britian in 1880, still sits in the White House — used by nearly every president since, symbolizing a relationship between two nations.
Business Is Booming, Constitution Is Looming
Whether this jet represents a constitutional violation hinges on the terms under which it’s accepted. Trump says the plane will be handed to his presidential library and that he won’t use it after leaving office — suggesting it will be decommissioned.
But let’s be honest — who’s not using a free plane? Even Trump isn’t pretending too hard.
Accepting the aircraft could easily overstep the Emoluments Clause, which prohibits U.S. officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional consent.
The White House says “the legal details are still being worked out.” Qatar claims no final decision has been made. And everyone insists this gift “won’t influence” U.S. policy.
Meanwhile, Trump’s business empire is booming across the region: A Trump-branded golf course is opening in Qatar, His name is set to appear on skyscrapers in Saudi Arabia, and the UAE used a Trump-affiliated crypto platform to complete a $2 billion deal.
Democracy Being Sold At High Prices
This plane may never land where it should but it at least belongs in the history books, right next to the Constitution Trump has collectively decided no longer matters.
As long as Trump keeps rewriting the Constitution through his actions the price of our democracy is negotiable — and apparently, it starts at $400 million.
Good night and good luck.
