Qatar Prime Minister says Trump jet gift is a ‘normal thing’

“I call it an exchange between two countries. And basically the relationship that we have between Qatar and the United States is a very institutional relationship,” Thani said. “The plane story is a Ministry of Defense to Department of Defense transaction, which is basically done in full transparency and very legally, and it’s part of the cooperation that we’ve been always doing together for decades.”

Trump also brokered a deal with Qatar for it to order up to 210 American-made Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft. The White House called Trump the “dealmaker-in-chief” for landing the agreement.

Thani emphasized that the gesture was a “normal thing that happens between allies” and dismissed accusations that Qatar may seek to “buy influence with this administration.”

“It’s a two-ways relationship. It’s mutually beneficial for Qatar and for the United States. Nothing [has] been done by us under the table,” he noted. “A lot of nations has gifted the U.S. many things. I am not comparing that to the Statue of Liberty, but…”

Trump says the gift is just a gesture of good faith and will not personally benefit him. The White House has pushed back on reporting that has indicated the gift will go to Trump personally. The jet will go to a future presidential library.

“They’re giving us a free jet. I could say, ‘No, no, no, don’t give us, I want to pay you a billion [dollars] or 400 million [dollars] or whatever it is,’ or I could say, ‘Thank you very much,’” Trump said last week, later adding, “I could be a stupid person and say no, we don’t want a free very expensive airplane, but … I thought it was a great gesture.”

Trump has been widely criticized for the gift. “The Constitution charges Congress with ensuring the President does not use the highest office in the land as a get-rich-quick scheme to pocket lavish gifts from foreign Presidents, Dictators, and Emirs. It is high time that Congress do its job,” Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) said.

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Many Republicans haven’t been thrilled with the gift either.

“This gift from Qatar is rife with legal, ethical, and practical impediments, including the potential for espionage. I’m not sure how we would be able to adequately inspect and outfit it to prevent that from happening,” Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) said in a statement.