President Donald Trump has defended a controversial plan to temporarily use a luxury jumbo jet from Qatar as Air Force One, describing the move as a sensible response to ongoing delays from Boeing.

“They’re giving us a gift,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday. “I’d be a stupid person not to accept it.”

However, Qatari officials painted a different picture. A spokesman from the Gulf state said it would be “inaccurate” to call the plane a gift, clarifying that the aircraft’s transfer was under discussion for “temporary use” only.

The timing of the announcement coincides with Trump’s upcoming trip to Qatar, part of his first major international tour during his second term.

Trump defended the idea by pointing to the long-standing U.S. relationship with Qatar. “We’ve helped them a lot over the years—security, safety. I have a lot of respect for their leadership,” he said. He also characterized the arrangement as a “very nice gesture,” especially while the administration awaits delayed deliveries of two new Air Force One planes from Boeing.

The proposed use of the Qatari aircraft—a customized Boeing 747-8 valued at around $400 million—has sparked a wave of legal and ethical scrutiny. Critics have raised concerns about potential violations of the U.S. Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval.

Democratic Senator Adam Schiff cited the clause directly on social media, warning that no U.S. official can accept “any present... of any kind whatever” from a foreign state without the consent of Congress.

Representative Ritchie Torres of New York called on the Government Accountability Office to investigate, noting that the jet could be “the most valuable gift ever given to a sitting president by a foreign power.”

Surprisingly, the criticism hasn’t been limited to political opponents. Prominent conservatives have also voiced concerns. Daily Wire host Ben Shapiro called the move “skeezy,” questioning whether it aligns with Trump’s broader goals of accountability and anti-corruption. Far-right activist Laura Loomer, a staunch Trump supporter, warned the decision would be a “stain” on his administration—though she still professed unwavering loyalty.

In response, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted that “any gift given by a foreign government is accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws,” and emphasized the administration’s commitment to transparency.

The U.S. Air Force’s current presidential fleet consists of two Boeing 747-200B aircraft that have served since 1990 and 1991. The newer 747-8 jet reportedly offered by Qatar, described by ABC News as a “flying palace,” would still need retrofitting and security clearance before it could serve in an official capacity.

Although Boeing has already been contracted to supply two next-generation Air Force One planes, delays have pushed their delivery timeline back by several years. Trump has expressed frustration with Boeing’s progress, despite the deal being secured during his first term.

The Trump administration has a history of warm relations with Qatar. Just last month, the Trump Organization signed a deal to develop a luxury golf resort there—its first foreign business deal since Trump’s return to office in January.

According to CBS News, the Qatari jet—if used—would eventually be donated to Trump’s future presidential library, echoing the precedent set by Ronald Reagan’s library, which houses an old Air Force One plane.

Nevertheless, legal experts caution that the optics—and potential implications—are troubling. Georgetown University law professor David Super told the BBC, “It certainly stinks, but formally, it’s a transfer to the government, not to the officeholder.” However, he warned the jet could still be seen as an illegal personal gift if Trump gains personal use of it after leaving office.

While Congress has the authority to challenge the move through a formal resolution, such a response is unlikely given Republican control on Capitol Hill—and it wouldn’t prevent the transfer itself.