Trump to fly on Qatar-gifted jet this week amid security concerns

(CNA Washington, June 30) The White House announced today that U.S. President Donald Trump will fly on a new Air Force One gifted by Qatar for the first time this week, raising questions about potential ethical, constitutional, and security concerns.

According to Agence France-Presse, a White House official stated that Trump will travel to North Dakota on July 1st to attend celebrations for the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Earlier this month, Trump unveiled the aircraft, praising Qatar, a Persian Gulf Arab nation, as "very friendly" and thanking them for providing the Boeing 747, which was refitted from the Qatari head of state's former aircraft.

Trump, a billionaire, has been keen since his first term to replace the aging current Air Force One and personally selected the new aircraft's red, white, and blue livery.

However, critics have raised a series of ethical, constitutional, and security concerns regarding a foreign government gifting an aircraft worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

The U.S. Constitution prohibits the president and other public officials from accepting "any present, emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever" from any king, prince, or foreign state without the consent of Congress.

The Trump administration stated that the aircraft was directly gifted to the Pentagon; however, the administration also indicated that the aircraft would ultimately be donated to the Trump Presidential Library, sparking further concerns.

The gifted aircraft from Qatar is intended as a transitional replacement until Boeing delivers two new 747-8s for presidential use. This presidential aircraft program has been plagued by delivery delays and cost overruns. (Intern Editor: Wang Bo-jie / Editor: Liu Shu-chin) 1150630

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