Donald Trump. Photo: Ted Shaffrey / AP / Profimedia
US President Donald Trump has rejected ethical concerns about his intention to accept an aircraft offered by the Royal Family, saying on Monday that it would be “stupid” to refuse such a generous offer, reports Reuters.
If the gift is materialized, the luxury plane of $ 400 million, will be one of the most valuable gifts that the US government has ever received.
Donald Trump said that the Boeing Ba.N 747-8 aircraft will eventually be donated to his presidential library and that he does not intend to use it for personal purposes after ending his mandate as president.
“I think it is a great gesture from the Qatar. I appreciate it very much. I would never be the kind of person to refuse such an offer,” Trump told reporters on Monday before going to the Middle East.
“I mean, I could be a bad person who says,” No, we don't want a free, very expensive plane, “added the US president.
The American leader believes that this gift is a form gratitude for US help in the defense of countries in the region, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Trump will visit all three countries in this week's tour.
He claims that the decision to accept the gift was a pragmatic one and that he is disappointed that Boeing has been so late in the delivery of the new Air Force One aircraft he had ordered during the first presidential term.
Critics from Democrats
Democratic senators Brian Schatz, Chris Murphy, Cory Booker and Chris Coons have said in a statement that the Republican President's decision to accept such a gift creates a clear conflict of interests, raises serious national security issues and facilitates foreign influence.
Joe Courtney from Connecticut, a member of the Chamber of Representatives, claims that such a decision distracts from the efforts of the Air Force to accelerate the delivery of the new Air Force One fleet.
The spokeswoman for the White House, Karoline Leavitt, said that the legal details related to the Qatareza donation to the Defense Department are still being developed and that the Trump administration is not worried about what the Qatarezia could require.
