Presidential bribery, sanewashed by the NYT
“It came out that the Qataris were gifting the souped-up plane to the U.S. for Trump’s use as President and then, after his presidency, it would be given to the Trump Presidential Library. As soon as I heard this, I was pretty sure this had now become a bribe. But I figured the public idea at least was that the plane would in some way be housed at the future Trump Library. That’s not as crazy as it sounds. The ’80s-era Air Force One is literally housed at the Reagan Library. In other words, it’s just as a museum piece.
“But it turns out they’re being very explicit about the bribe part. The Times just reported that because it’s owned by Trump’s presidential library it will still be his plane to fly. To quote the Times, “the plane would be donated to President Trump’s presidential library when he leaves office, allowing him to continue using it as a private citizen.” This is, to put it mildly, not how the presidential library system works. And the Times is really misleading people by suggesting that one thing in any way follows from the other.”
This is plainly a violation of the emoluments clause of the Constitution. Of course, nothing is illegal if nobody enforces the law. Suffice to say that there has never been a case of such a flagrant violation in the history of our country.
Qatar bribes Trump
Well, technically, its a “Gratuity,” not a bribe since we are not aware of any specific “quid pro quo” official action that Qatar is receiving from Trump in return for the plane, which means it is just a mere violation of the Emoluments clause of the Constitution which Congress has only passed a non-criminal statute to enforce. Now until the Roberts SCOTUS, such gratuities could have been considered an attempt to buy influence of a public official under the Bribery Statute, 18 USC Section 201, but SCOTUS requires evidence of quid pro quo for a specific act. Of course the appearance of corruption and violation of emoluments clause is outrageous, but the gilded age court has protected Trump very well.
@Sherparick,
You’re right. I can’t rule out that Qatar just loves Donald a whole bunch.
Only people who believe in the tooth fairy believe that there are no strings attached.
Sherparick:
You are correct! How we can be sure it was a bribe? After all the guy’s history has been making fair deals with various governments domestic and international. Look at what he is doing for Ukraine? He does not do quid pro quo. The deal is you will take this.
He has a junky old 747 to tool a round-in. Not a good appearance for the Pres who needs gold toilets. He could not get a new Boeing 747 from Boeing Inc.? That is so plebian, yes?
He is the Pres, man. He deserves better.
The world knows what he is like and they will toss things at him to get a favor. He is no Godfather, just trash.
It is good to see you again on Angry Bear.
@Sherparick,
On May 1, 2025, the Trump Organization cut a deal with Qatari Diar, a company established by Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund in 2005 to “coordinate the country’s real estate development priorities.” Together with Saudi Arabian company Dar Global, which has close ties to the Saudi government, the Qatari company will build a $5.5 billion Trump International Golf Club in Qatar.
Sure looks like a payoff to me.