Mike Pence, who once served as vice president under Donald Trump, has strongly disagreed with the idea of Trump receiving a luxury aircraft from the Qatari government. He expressed concern that such a move may go against the Constitution and could even pose a threat to the safety of the nation.
During an interview that aired on May 16 with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Pence shared his concerns regarding Trump’s travel safety and the intelligence risks linked with the private jet offer.
He emphasized that allowing the president to make use of a plane gifted by another country raises important national security questions.
He also stressed that accepting such a gift would not align with the expectations around American intelligence protection. Pence encouraged Trump to give the matter more thought before going ahead with the decision.
Trump Defends the Offer
Trump, however, has already spoken in support of the offer. He made it clear that he plans to accept a Boeing 747-8 from Qatar, which would be redesigned to serve as a future Air Force One.
The estimated cost for this modification is over $1 billion. Once Trump leaves office, the aircraft would be transferred to his foundation.
According to reports, the $400 million value of the aircraft alone would make it the most expensive foreign gift ever offered to a sitting American president. While he was visiting the Middle East on May 14, Trump posted on Truth Social defending the decision.
He argued that the United States military and taxpayers should not be the ones to bear the expense when Qatar is willing to cover it. He pointed to the country’s desire to show appreciation for what he described as successful past cooperation.
Concerns Over Qatar’s Foreign Dealings
In response to this proposal, Pence reminded the public about Qatar’s controversial ties. He noted that the country has been known to back both Hamas and Al Qaeda. Based on that track record, Pence suggested that Qatar’s political actions show they have interests on more than one side of ongoing global tensions.
He also referenced a section of the U.S. Constitution that prohibits federal officeholders from accepting gifts or benefits of any kind from foreign governments. He warned that allowing this gift to go through would clash with that legal boundary.
Wrapping up his statement, Pence said he believes the president should think twice before accepting the plane. He maintained that it was a wrong step and should be reconsidered.
