Trump receives $ 400 million jumbo jet-is he too big for him?

Trump receives $ 400 million jumbo jet-is he too big for him?

San Antonio, Texas, USA - President Donald Trump recently received a luxurious Boeing 747-jumbo jet worth $ 400 million as a gift from the Emir of Qatar. The jet is said to serve as a new Air Force One after the existing presidential machine has been in operation for many years and urgently needs a replacement. Trump emphasized that the handover of the jets to the Pentagon, in order to clear up suspicions of bribery, was a "great thing". However, he also expressed doubts about the size of the aircraft and described it as "too big", without calling specific reasons. The machine is 76 meters long, which makes it 5.5 meters longer than the currently used Air Force One, which is based on a Boeing 747-200B.

officially the Boeing 747-8 was handed over to the Pentagon to comply with the state regulations. The spokesman for the Pentagon, Sean Parnell, confirmed the assumption on May 21, emphasizing the need to consider all safety measures and functional requirements. Nevertheless, there are already voices that require an investigation by the gift, including Senate Democrat Jack Reed, who argues that the acceptance of foreign gifts could exceed constitutional limits, since this may be considered an attempt to gain personal advantages.

conversion and costs

The jet, which was originally used by Qatar Airways, is currently being rebuilt in San Antonio, Texas, to act as a flying white house. The renovations could be extremely expensive and cost up to one billion dollars that would ultimately have to be worn by the taxpayers. This measure is in the context of the already delayed reorganization of two Boeing 747-8, which Trump had ordered during his first term, but are only expected between 2027 and 2028.

The interior of the jet is magnificent and includes several bathrooms, dining room, living rooms, suites, bedrooms, conference rooms and even a children's play area. This ensures that US President Trump also has the comfort of an independent office and living area when traveling.

political reactions and public concerns

The possibility that a foreign country will make such a valuable gift has triggered concern in the US media. Critics, in particular from the ranks of the Democrats, accuse Trump to violate legal provisions. Laura Loomer, an activist from Trump's environment, described the acceptance of the aircraft as a "eyesore" for the US government. The plan raises essential legal and ethical questions, since the US constitution prohibits state representatives to accept gifts from foreign governments without the consent of the congress.

While Trump had already tried to exchange the current presidential aircraft during his first term, the discussion about the financing and the ethical reasonability of gift acceptance remains acute in the face of the upcoming election campaigns. Trump has dismissed the concerns of his critics as "fake news" and rejected the allegations that he wanted to achieve personalized advantages with the acceptance of the jett.

The discussion about the jet is therefore not only a technical, but also a political topic that is still controversial.