Donald Trump defends the United States' plan to receive $400 million in giant jets from Qatar after Democrats criticized the move as "clear corruption."
The U.S. president said in a social media post on Sunday that the Defense Department will acquire a 747-8 Boeing from Gulf State to replace the 40-year-old Air Force One.
Boeing's replacement aircraft made in the United States has been delayed for several years.
Trump will visit Qatar this week, and he said the plane would be a temporary solution. News reports on Sunday indicated that the plane would remain in the United States and donate to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation after the president resigned.
In addition to possible violations of the Emer's clause in the U.S. Constitution, this gift may be the largest gift in recent history to a foreign country or entity for the president of the United States.
Trump called the move a "very open and transparent deal" and accused Democrats of wanting to pay "the highest dollar" for the plane. "Anyone can do it!"
ABC News initially reported the proposed gift. Qatar said the report was "inaccurate" but confirmed that "the transfer of the aircraft is currently being considered for temporary use by Air Force One."
"This matter is still under review by various legal departments and no decision has been made," said Ali Al-Ansari, a media attachment to the Washington Embassy in Qatar.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Reports of Qatar's proposed gifts have even attracted criticism from Trump's most loyal supporters. Influential Laura Loomer tagged the deal as "a $400 million 'gift for wearing jihadists" and suggested that it would be "if that's true, it's a smudge on the administrator."
Norm Eisen, a former White House ethics czar and frequent Trump critic, said the move was "illegal and unconstitutional."
The 747 owned by Katari is just over a decade and is one of the most luxurious private jets in the world. Trump toured in February while parking at Palm Beach International Airport (near his Margrago House), the New York Times reported.
Trump travels to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates this week. The trip has attracted criticism from campaigners after Eric Trump reached a business deal for the Trump organization before his father's visit.