‘If this were Biden, we would be furious’: Haley slams Trump’s reported plan to accept luxury jet from Qatar

WASHINGTON (WCBD) – Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Tuesday slammed President Donald Trump’s reported plan to accept a luxury jet from Qatar, pointing to the potential national security risk.

Several media outlets reported Sunday that the Trump administration was preparing to accept a $400 million Boeing jumbo jet from the Qatar royal family to be used as Air Force One. It was first reported by ABC News.

The idea that an aircraft from a foreign government would be used by the U.S. president quickly raised legal, ethical, and security concerns, even among some congressional Republicans and prolific right-wing commentators.

Haley, the former South Carolina governor who served as UN Ambassador during Trump’s first administration, joined the criticism in a May 13 post on X (formerly Twitter), writing that “accepting gifts from foreign nations is never a good practice.”

“It threatens intelligence and national security,” she continued, referencing the Qatari government’s alleged ties to U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organizations in the region, such as Hamas.

Still, while speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump brushed off the concerns, saying it would be “stupid” to refuse the offer.   

“I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer,” he said. “I could be a stupid person and say, ‘No, we don’t want a free, very expensive airplane.”

He further tried to tamp down opposition by saying he wouldn’t fly around in the plane when his term ends, but rather donate it to a future presidential library. That did little to quell the controversy, however.

Some have argued the plan likely violates the Constitution’s emoluments clause, which bars anyone holding government office from accepting any present, emolument, office or title from any “King, Prince, or foreign State,” without congressional consent.

Haley also expressed worry about the message the potential acceptance could send to other countries.

“Regardless of how beautiful the plane may be, it opens a door and implies the President and US can be bought,” she wrote. “If this were Biden, we would be furious.”

Haley is one of few South Carolina politicians – past and present – who have weighed in so far.  

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, seemed skeptical of the plan but stopped short of openly rebuking it.

“Air Force One is the symbol of America,” Graham told Spectrum News at Greenville-Spartanburg Airport on Monday. “When it lands or flies, it is America flying and landing, and I want to make sure that this whole thing is kosher.”  

Trump will likely face persistent questions about the plane in the coming days as he travels to the Middle East, including a stop in Qatar.

The Associated Press contributed.