Trump Faces Corruption Allegations Over Qatari Gift

16th May 2025

3 minutes read

Trump Faces Corruption Allegations Over Qatari Gift

Opposition figures and U.S. watchdog organizations have launched a campaign denouncing what they see as Donald Trump’s blatant abuse of power since his return to office — pointing to his acceptance of gifts, aggressive promotion of cryptocurrency, and deep involvement in real estate ventures.

Noah Bookbinder, president of the group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), said: “Corruption appears even more blatant and severe than it was during his first term.”

Allegations intensified after Qatar’s royal family announced plans to gift a Boeing 747 to the U.S. government — a donation valued by experts at $400 million.

On Monday, Trump called it “stupid” to reject such a gift. He intends to use the jet as a new presidential aircraft and later donate it to his presidential library upon leaving office.

The White House claimed it followed “the highest levels of transparency” regarding the gift. However, the U.S. Constitution prohibits officials from accepting gifts from foreign kings, princes, or states while in office.

Tony Carrk, executive director of Accountable.US, stated:“Qatar clearly received the message that this presidency is for sale,” referring to the jet as a “flying palace.”

Bookbinder also warned of the serious risk that future presidential decisions involving Qatar could be tainted: “Instead of focusing on U.S. national interest, Trump may be thinking of how grateful he is to the Qataris for the luxurious plane he enjoys flying.”

Democrats were quick to condemn the gift. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called it “the largest presidential bribe in modern history,” adding on Tuesday: “This is not just pure corruption — it is a grave threat to national security.”

In addition to the Qatari jet, watchdog groups have raised alarm over Trump and his allies’ increasing involvement in cryptocurrencies — notoriously difficult to track, even as his administration is tasked with regulating the sector.

Of particular concern is a private dinner planned for May 22 at one of Trump’s golf clubs, to which only the top 220 investors in his “$TRUMP” cryptocurrency will be invited. The top 25 investors will receive a special invitation to visit the White House.

The groups also cited a March announcement that MGX, a UAE-based investment fund, would invest $2 billion in crypto through Binance — using a digital token linked to the Trump family via its firm World Liberty Financial.

Following visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Trump is scheduled to visit the United Arab Emirates on Thursday as part of his Middle East tour. All three countries maintain business ties with the Trump Organization in areas such as finance, real estate, and sports.

Tony Carrk noted:“The president is enabling personal enrichment by channeling potentially hundreds of millions of dollars through murky cryptocurrency ventures.”

Bookbinder added that this is only “the visible tip of a much larger iceberg.”

Carrk concluded:“With Republicans in control of Congress, only a handful of courageous lawmakers are speaking out.”

In a rare move, some Republican legislators have voiced discomfort over the Qatari gift. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the situation posed “serious issues,”

while Senator Rand Paul warned the plane “might send the wrong message to the public.”

Even conservative media figures close to Trump expressed concern. On Monday, podcaster Ben Shapiro commented on the “$TRUMP” investor dinner, saying it “raises questions of influence peddling,” and added: “If the Trump administration is to succeed, accepting a jet from Qatar is not the way to go.”