A Qatari Boeing 747 sits on the tarmac of Palm Beach International airport after President Donald Trump toured the aircraft on Feb. 15, 2025. (Getty Images)
When asked by Fox News Digital if Trump should accept the $400 million Qatari jet, Democratic senators were unanimous in their condemnation, calling the deal "smelly" and "risky" to national security.
TRUMP SIGNS AGREEMENTS WITH QATAR ON DEFENSE AND BOEING PURCHASES
"We shouldn't do it," Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., said, adding that, "We can build our own planes for security."
Even if the Boeing plane was built in the United States, accepting the Qatari jet is "risky," according to Welch.
"It's smelly enough that he should come to Congress. It looks and feels an awful lot like an emolument, and he and his library will end up getting a personal benefit out of it," Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., told Fox News Digital when asked if Trump's deal needed congressional approval.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., piled on the Trump criticism in a series of social media posts and even delivered a speech on the Senate floor, arguing Trump is "willing to sell out our nation's security in exchange for billions in bribes, including a free luxury plane."
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, left, welcomes President Donald Trump during an official welcoming ceremony at the Amiri Diwan in Doha, Qatar, on May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
"The Boeing 747 is being given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defense, NOT TO ME! It is a gift from a Nation, Qatar, that we have successfully defended for many years. It will be used by our Government as a temporary Air Force One, until such time as our new Boeings, which are very late on delivery, arrive. Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for FREE from a country that wants to reward us for a job well done," Trump said on Truth Social on Tuesday following his remarks to reporters.
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"This big savings will be spent, instead, to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Only a FOOL would not accept this gift on behalf of our Country. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Trump added.
Deirdre Heavey is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dems-condemn-trumps-jet-deal-call-400-million-gift-unconstitutional