Trump’s new luxury plane dubbed ‘palace in the sky’ could violate US constitution
US President Donald Trump’s new luxury plane has been heavily criticized, as many point out that his acceptance of the ‘palace in the sky’ actually violates the Unites States Constitution.
While President Trump‘s return to office this year has predominantly been about saving America money through the new Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), he’s certainly not shied away from luxury himself.
His election campaign was supported with significant donations from many of the world’s richest individuals – with most of them present in the front row at his inauguration – and Trump has even shared ‘disturbing’ AI generated videos of Gaza where he has his own hotel and golden statue.
The latest in a long line of status objects though is Trump’s new $400,000,000 airplane, which is so luxurious that it’s been dubbed a ‘palace in the sky’. Featuring gold fittings, luxury leather interiors, a huge plasma TV, and even an entire conference room, the president’s new vehicle is just about as fancy as you can get while in the air.
Trump’s new $400,000,000 plane from Saudi Arabia has been heavily criticized (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Not only can he use it as his primary mode of transportation during his presidency, but he can also keep it after he leaves office as it was actually a personal gift from the Saudi Arabian government, which might also coincide with Trump’s recent push to change the Gulf of Persia’s name.
It is indeed the gift-wrapped status of the plane that many have issue with though, and while Trump himself doesn’t seem to see the problem, some have even claimed that it breaches the US Constitution.
“Some people say ‘Oh you shouldn’t accept gifts for the country’,” President Trump outlined in a Fox News interview while on board his new plane. “My attitude is, ‘Why wouldn’t I accept the gift?'”
In response, one popular post on X has outlined: “Because Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the Constitution says you can’t. This is why you don’t put a convicted felon in the White House.”
That particular part of the Constitution is known as the ‘Foreign Emoluments Clause’, and details as follows:
“No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.”
This plane falls precisely within the realms of a present from a foreign State, and it’s seen as an anti-bribery measure that prevents the control of the president by a foreign entity, or the exchange of a gifts for political gain.
The main caveat here is the part that implies that gifts would be accepted with the consent of Congress, as the Republican party currently controls both the House and Senate, although it’s unclear whether it has authorized this particular gift.
Donald Trump is no stranger to controversy.
When he’s not renaming another part of the world or imposing tariffs on China and Canada, he’ll be spending time in his $400 million luxury jet he’s set to receive from the Qatari royal family.
Dubbed a ‘palace in the sky,’ the Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet will be a gift Trump can use as his presidential plane and even keep once his presidency ends in 2028.
During his first term, Qatari authorities rented prime office space in San Francisco in a building, which Trump had a stake in.
However, many have called the offering a blatant act of corruption, especially given the history between Trump and Qatari officials.
They also stayed at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., paying up to $10,500 (£7,950) a night for the presidential suite.
Democrats have slammed the gift as corruption. (Anna Moneymaker/Staff/Getty)
Many saw the regular visits of at least 33 foreign countries’ reps as attempts to appease the US government, whilst Trump earned a total of $3.75 million (£2.4 million) from the visits.
But now the gift giving has upgraded to a luxury plane that wouldn’t look out of place at Trump Tower.
Inside, it’s kitted out with gold fittings, pale leather upholstered seats and a conference room for up to four people on recliners.
The jet’s prestigious conference room with four recliner seats. (iNews/AMAC Aerospace)
Photos of the jet’s lavish interior were taken at Palm Beach International Airport earlier this year, where Trump was also taking a first look for himself. In the Upper Deck Lounge, the cosy living space features a large sofa with cushions facing a plasma TV screen set fixed to the wall. The interior is not fully complete without its decorative lamps and high-class looking furniture.
AMAC Aerospace)
AMAC Aerospace
However, Democrats have slammed the gift as corruption, pointing out that Trump’s been setting himself up for financial gain since winning re-election.
One particular example was establishing his own cryptocurrency the day before he was inaugurated.
“This is not normal. None of this is normal,” said Democratic Senator Chris Murphy. “This is outlandish, this is illegal, this is unconstitutional, brazen corruption.”
Even some of Trump’s most devoted supporters aren’t agreeing with the deal.
Laura Loomer, occasional Trump advisor and conspiracy theorist, admitted on X (formerly Twitter): “I love President Trump. I would take a bullet for him.
“But, I have to call a spade a spade. We cannot accept a $400m ‘gift’”
Trump ally Mark Levin added: “Their jet and all the other things they are buying in our country does not provide them with the cover they seek.”
President Donald Trump has responded to reports that he is poised to accept a $400 million ‘palace in the sky’.
The US president is expected to receive a plane from the Qatari royal family that he would get to keep at the end of his presidency in 2028.
Described as a ‘palace in the sky’, the Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet has sparked criticism from members of the public.
However, Trump has taken to social media himself to defend it.
On his own platform, Truth Social, the president wrote: “So the fact that the Defense Department is getting a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40 year old Air Force One, temporarily, in a very public and transparent transaction, so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, TOP DOLLAR, for the plane.
Trump has defended the gift on social media (Truth Social)
“Anybody can do that! The Dems are World Class Losers!!! MAGA.”
This is after Democrats voiced their concerns over the potential gift, with some claiming that Trump would first need to seek the consent of Congress before accepting it.
Chuck Schumer, who is the Senate minority leader, said: “Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar.
“It’s not just bribery, it’s premium foreign influence with extra legroom.”
However, despite pushback from Trump, it seems receiving this present could be against the US Constitution.
In article I, section nine, clause 8, it reads: “No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.”
The White House has also defended the gift from Qatar, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that any gift would comply with the laws relevant to the situation.
Trump is set to receive a plane from Qatar (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
It is not yet clear whether the exchange will go away but according to Qatari media, the ‘possible transfer of an aircraft… is currently under consideration’.
Many people have taken to social media themselves to share their own reactions to the news.
On X, formerly Twitter, one user wrote: “Hillary Clinton wasn’t allowed to keep a $425 necklace gifted to her by Bangladesh when she was Secretary of State.
“Donald Trump is about to accept a $400 MILLION plane as a bribe from Qatar.”
And another added: “Folks, if Trump accepts a private jet from Qatar to be used as Air Force One and then transferred to his presidential library for personal use, that’s bribery ‘IN PLANE SIGHT’.
“Draft up the impeachment papers, because this counts.”
Experts are warning that President Donald Trump’s latest brutal cut could cost households a whopping $450 per year.
This is after the Trump administration revealed that it is moving towards shutting down a program known as Energy Star.
Through the program, which was first launched back in 1992, homeowners are able to save an average of $450 a year.
Energy Star offers consumers information about how much energy an appliance uses, meaning that you can shop around to find a more economical one before making a purchase.
By buying products with an Energy Star rating, customers are also able to apply for rebates and tax credits of up to $3,200 a year.
However, this could all soon be coming to an end, according to reports.
President Trump has been making mass cuts to federal agencies (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
According to a report from The Washington Post, sources in the Environmental Protection Agency have said that government officials from the Trump administration informed them that the program will end.
Speaking to CNN, Paula Glover, who is the president of the nonprofit Alliance to Save Energy, said: “Eliminating the Energy Star program would directly contradict this administration’s promise to reduce household energy costs.
“For just $32 million a year, Energy Star helps American families save over $40 billion in annual energy costs. That’s a return of $350 for every federal dollar invested.”
If this goes ahead then it could mean that consumers will find it more difficult to work out which appliances are more energy efficient than others, and could end up being costly.
In other news, Trump’s import policies have faced backlash from top CEOs, who met with the president in the Oval Office.
The Energy Star program could be coming to an end, according to reports (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
The group of three CEOs include executives from Walmart, Home Depot and Target, who attended the private meeting at the White House last month (April 21).
According to a report by Axios, they warned the president about the impact of his recent import tariffs, forewarning that it could lead to frozen supply chains, resulting in empty shelves.
The report claimed that an administration official familiar with the meeting said: “The big box CEOs flat out told him the prices aren’t going up, they’re steady right now, but they will go up.
“And this wasn’t about food. But he was told that shelves will be empty.”
Trump’s announcements of new import tariffs sent the stock market into a meltdown last month but have since been put on a 90 day pause.
