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submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by CobraChicken3000@lemmy.ca to c/politics@lemmy.world

The Trump administration plans to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 plane as a donation from the Qatari royal family that will be upgraded to serve as Air Force One, in possibly the biggest foreign gift ever received by the U.S. government, four people with knowledge of the matter said. The plane will then be donated to President Trump’s presidential library when he leaves office, two senior officials said. Democratic lawmakers and good government groups expressed concern over the conflicts the proposal presents. The plan raises substantial ethical issues, given the immense value of the lavishly appointed plane and Mr. Trump’s intention to use it after he leaves office. Sold new, a commercial Boeing 747-8 costs in the range of $400 million.

A level of blatant corruption unseen in generations.

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[-] CalipherJones@lemmy.world 31 points 1 month ago

Meanwhile a teacher would be fired for accepting a 20$

[-] shiroininja@lemmy.world 29 points 1 month ago

That plane gonna be more bugged than a Motel 6

[-] aesthelete@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

More bugged than a 90s windshield after a long summer drive

[-] Randomgal@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 month ago

Like those Israeli beepers.

[-] WatDabney@fedia.io 23 points 1 month ago

It strikes me that this in a way illustrates how delusional Trump is.

He's an egomaniac and a pathological narcissist, and he's demonstrated repeatedly that he's obsessed with how other people see him - he's desperate to be respected and admired.

And I have no doubt that he sees this gift as a mark of respect and admiration.

And it very much is not - it's the complete opposite in fact. It's the Qatari royal family pretty clearly saying that while strengrhening ties with the US under another president would require a great deal of detailed discussion and negotiation, with Trump all it requires is giving him something bright and shiny.

[-] Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 month ago

The great thing about being really stupid is that you are too stupid to worry about things like this. There's no reading between the lines when you can't even read.

[-] Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works 20 points 1 month ago

Reminds me of some story I heard a long time ago about a condom company making a wooden animal or something as a gift. I don't know why I just thought of that, but somehow this seems weirdly similar.

[-] HK65@sopuli.xyz 18 points 1 month ago

possibly the biggest foreign gift ever received by the U.S. government

Wouldn't that be the Statue of Liberty?

That said, this is possibly the biggest personal gift received by a sitting US president, that's true.

[-] ansiz@lemmy.world 8 points 1 month ago

If you're thinking cost wise, I'm pretty sure even adjusted for inflation the statue of Liberty was less than $15 million dollars.

[-] CrabAndBroom@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 month ago

Out of curiosity I looked it up and I guess when it was built, the Statue of Liberty cost ~$250,000, which is only about $7.8 million in today's money. And it costs about $6 million a year to maintain.

[-] Deadeyegai@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago

Isn't it just for Drumfp and not the government? Am I missing something??

[-] CircaV@lemmy.ca 17 points 1 month ago

Oh that’s definitely not naked pure corruption.

/s

[-] Ahrotahntee@lemmy.ca 7 points 1 month ago

Not an American, so honest question here: Is this a valid target for civil forfeiture since it's proceeds from crime?

You know, instead of the usual $300 cops usually find suspicious in someone's wallet.

[-] Merva@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 month ago

As with all of his crimes that would require someone to hold him accountable, so not really.

[-] Ahrotahntee@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 month ago

Yeah I guess I just meant in theory.

[-] Tolookah@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 1 month ago

It's not naked, it has a bow!

[-] SarcasticMan@lemmy.world 15 points 1 month ago

Gifts to the president are gifts to the country. The Republicans made that very clear when the Clintons left the white house and took all their gifts with them. In fact, Donny used it as part of his narrative of how corrupt Hillary is.

Hypocrites and thieves

[-] Ensign_Crab@lemmy.world 14 points 1 month ago

That thing has to be like 25% listening devices by weight. Maybe a couple remote kill switches too.

[-] Nightwingdragon@lemmy.world 9 points 1 month ago

Otherwise known as a national security risk with wings.

Does anyone believe that (a) Qatar or one of its allies hasn't planted more bugs than a termite infestation, and (b) Trump's team is even remotely close to competent enough to find any of them?

[-] meco03211@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago

What's that saying for social media? If it's free, you are the product? Qatar gonna get so much intelligence from the bugs they plant all over.

[-] CobraChicken3000@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 month ago

They really don't have to. Trump is more than willing to spill the beans for some McNuggets.

[-] ShittyBeatlesFCPres@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

God willing they put a camera and microphone in the presidential loo and have to deal with the consequences of their actions.

[-] JeremyHuntQW12@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

Qatar is backing the $5.5 bn golf resort Trump is building there.

[-] meme_historian@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 1 month ago

Oooh a shiny surveillance present for Dear Leader ✨🤗 From one authoritarian asshole to another

[-] iAvicenna@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago

"donation" you mean he is someone else's bitch now?

[-] Makhno@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

Always has been.

[-] NotAGamer@lemmy.org 4 points 1 month ago

Foreign bribery made legal by the supreme court.

[-] GuyFawkes@midwest.social 4 points 1 month ago

I’m curious whether there are more bugs or remote ways to bring that plane down included with the delivery. “Declare war on or we will bring that plane down. You have 2 minutes to decide.”

[-] choco_crispies@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 month ago

I was thinking the same thing

[-] Formfiller@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I hope they bring it down with Shitler in it

[-] CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

Post-Presidency Travel

His mind already seems gone; what kind of travel will this asshat need to do, assuming he leaves office after his second failed term?

[-] Carmakazi@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago

Fleeing to a non-extradition country like Assad did.

[-] hypna@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago
[-] CobraChicken3000@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 month ago

But...but...but it's not for him! It's for his "libary"

[-] floofloof@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 month ago

The Trump library will be a shelf with one slightly sticky book of Hitler's speeches and a 747 parked out back.

[-] al_Kaholic@lemmynsfw.com 2 points 1 month ago

Piss tapes part 2 drops in 6 months.

[-] griff@lemmings.world 1 points 1 month ago

oh no—could not possibly be a “foreign emolument”-no no no!!!

[-] Emil_Zatopek1982@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago

poo poo pants.

this post was submitted on 11 May 2025
168 points (98.8% liked)

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