In what may be the most valuable gift ever extended to the United States from a foreign government, the Trump administration is preparing to accept a super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the royal family of Qatar.

It is to be available for use by Donald Trump as the new Air Force One until shortly before he leaves office, at which time ownership of the plane will be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation, sources familiar with the proposed arrangement told ABC News.

The gift is expected to be announced next week, when Trump visits Qatar on the first foreign trip of his second term, according to sources familiar with the plans.

    • Remember_the_tooth@lemmy.world
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      6 days ago

      It goes to his presidential library for the use of its staff after his presidency. He won’t technically own it, but he’ll be able to use its value indirectly. It’s definitely flouting bribery laws and daring anyone to do something about it.

  • njm1314@lemmy.world
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    6 days ago

    By law aren’t gifts over a certain value supposed to become the property of the American people?

    • futatorius@lemm.ee
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      5 days ago

      According to the constitution, presidents are forbidden to accept gifts from foreign states. The practice has been that small gifts are accepted but belong to the nation.

    • Md27@lemmy.world
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      6 days ago

      In the announcement, Pam Bondi sent a document confirming the “legitimacy” of accepting this gift, that it does not break anti-bribery policies.

      For what it’s worth

    • RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world
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      5 days ago

      Trump can’t be charged with anything while president, so it won’t matter if he accepts it and keeps ot as his own personal toy.

      Edit: downvotes? Lol, y’all already forget about SCOTUS handing trump immunity for everything he does while in office?

  • D_C@lemm.ee
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    5 days ago

    More truthful title:
    Fat Orange Imbecile Openly Accepts Bribe. Government Secrets Will Be Sent Back For Years To Come.

  • Hikuro-93@lemmy.world
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    6 days ago

    My first thought seeing this news was “Why would Trump get such a plane for other future Presidents?”.

    Firstly, Trump being Trump would find a way to make the plane personally his, even placing some of those special Rolls Royce-made silent engines he likes so much. Secondly he already has his own Trump Force 1 to compete with the current AF1 - would he really be able to see another president flying around on his lux-plane while he has to return to the “poor-billionaire’s” TF1?

    Smells like yet another small sign that he isn’t really planning on leaving. Seems like he’s just getting his own upgraded Trump Force 1 under the guise of presidency, using taxpayer money, to serve him until he dies - not until the end of the term - and spend a heck-a-ton more taxpayer money in operating costs to fund his weekly golf trips.

    • blueeggsandyam@lemmy.world
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      5 days ago

      There is no way he gives up the plane after his presidency. He is saying he will now to stop anyone from being able to argue that there is any corruption.

  • CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world
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    6 days ago

    LOL, in New York Times headline, “and Post-Presidency Travel”

    that dude seems to plan to try to stay by any means necessary until he shuffles off this mortal coil.

  • Trimatrix@lemmy.world
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    6 days ago

    Is it bad that things are so bad that this is a win win? like, chance of it being built with Boeing quality? Win. Bugged? Still better than Signal so win. Foreign adversaries threat that uniquely only affects those on board the plane? win with some collateral damage.

    I am not seeing a downside