The big grift here is that the plane will be donated to the Trump “library” prior to his leaving office, where I’m assuming he can sell it for millions. I’m also assuming that his “library” contains no actual tomes.
The ABC News story that the deal is decided may be premature. Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar’s Media Attaché to the U.S., said, “The possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is currently under consideration between Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense, but the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments, and no decision has been made.”
Does it belong to Trump as the private individual or the US government to be passed on to the next President? Because I believe if the latter then it has long been accepted as practice.
Didn’t Vance just get done saying that he wants the US armed forces to be using domestic-made equipment?
Were you under the impression that this Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet was Qatari-made?
You’re kidding, right? (my bolding) Donald leave something nice for “the next” President? Donald even believe that there is going to BE a “next President”?
This is particularly revolting—mainly because the mainstream media seem to be reporting as if it made sense:
(Quoting ABC News there, I believe.)
Seriously, “turn it over to the Trump library”? It’s going to sit in the parking lot of the Trump library?
Of COURSE Donald will be using it from the day he gets it until the day he dies: it’s described as a Palace in the Sky. It’s not going to be used to bring tour groups to his Library.
In other news: apparently Laura Loomer is withholding her approval of this particular bribe:
If the gift had come from Vlad, presumably, she’d be fine with it.
The White House in smoking ruins, maybe?
“What do you mean ‘we,’ Sweetheart? Gots nuffin to do with the likes of you. When I want your opinion, I’ll give it to you.”
My very first thought when I read the headline.
Are you saying that you believe the US has long accepted airplanes as gifts? I was under the impression that they were purchased by the government, like everything else.
It is typical of Trump’s ego-driven stupidity that at a time when he’s trying to make his message about personal financial sacrifices, he needlessly does this. Will the Fox-news crowd notice? Maybe some of them. They’re not all necessarily worshippers.
No. I’m saying a gift, whatever it is, is given to the Office of the President, not the President himself.
Gah! I read the topic title as, “Trump is going to use a grifted foreign aircraft …”
Well, I guess it still works.
Edit to include link
I wonder if a U.S. government aviation museum ever accepted a British World War II plane – maybe a Spitfire or Hurricane – as a gift. Probably yes, but maybe it was not in working order.
The lesser problem with this new gift is that, although it formally is going to the U.S. government, it, unlike a museum exhibit, is targeted to impress the President .
The bigger problem is that it goes to Trump’s library/museum in 2029 (assuming no third term coup). AND, unlike other presidential libraries, which are controlled by the National Archives, I except this one to be controlled by the Trump organization. I recall reading during Trump 45 about that being their plan, although I cannot find the link at the moment.
Is there a reason the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act does not apply here?
Even though heads of state have traditionally exchanged gifts as expressions of goodwill, the Constitution (Article I, Section 9) prohibits anyone in the US Government from receiving a personal gift from a foreign head of state without the consent of Congress. Today, the handling of gifts from a foreign official to any Federal Government employee, including the President, is largely governed by the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act of 1966 and further legislation passed in 1977. Congress has allowed Federal employees to retain any gift from a foreign government, as long as the total US retail value of the gifts presented at one occasion does not exceed an amount established by the General Services Administration (GSA).[1] Foreign official gifts over this “minimal value” are considered gifts to the people of the United States, which the recipient must purchase from GSA, at fair market value, in order to retain. The White House Gift Unit sees to the disposition of foreign official gifts that the President and First Lady do not retain. - SOURCE
Google tells me that “minimal value” is currently $480. Pretty sure a freaking 747 is worth more than that. ISTM that if Trump wants to keep it he needs to buy it from the US at market value. A lot of money for a 747 jet.
Didn’t they give George Washington an airplane as a gift after the Continental Army seized the airports during the Revolution?
So this gifted foreign aircraft will be Bribery One?
Haven’t broken that one yet? We’re ten years into Trump accepting gifts from foreign governments.
Works for me.
My very first thought, also!