The Trump administration plans to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 plane as a donation from the Qatari royal family that will be upgraded to serve as Air Force One, in possibly the biggest foreign gift ever received by the U.S. government, four people with knowledge of the matter said. The plane will then be donated to President Trump’s presidential library when he leaves office, two senior officials said. Democratic lawmakers and good government groups expressed concern over the conflicts the proposal presents. The plan raises substantial ethical issues, given the immense value of the lavishly appointed plane and Mr. Trump’s intention to use it after he leaves office. Sold new, a commercial Boeing 747-8 costs in the range of $400 million.

A level of blatant corruption unseen in generations.

  • @[email protected]
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    82 months ago

    I’m curious whether there are more bugs or remote ways to bring that plane down included with the delivery. “Declare war on <insert country name here> or we will bring that plane down. You have 2 minutes to decide.”

  • @[email protected]
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    202 months ago

    What’s that saying for social media? If it’s free, you are the product? Qatar gonna get so much intelligence from the bugs they plant all over.

    • @[email protected]OP
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      142 months ago

      They really don’t have to. Trump is more than willing to spill the beans for some McNuggets.

    • @[email protected]
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      62 months ago

      God willing they put a camera and microphone in the presidential loo and have to deal with the consequences of their actions.

  • @[email protected]
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    282 months ago

    Oooh a shiny surveillance present for Dear Leader ✨🤗 From one authoritarian asshole to another

  • @[email protected]
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    142 months ago

    That thing has to be like 25% listening devices by weight. Maybe a couple remote kill switches too.

  • @[email protected]
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    62 months ago

    Post-Presidency Travel

    His mind already seems gone; what kind of travel will this asshat need to do, assuming he leaves office after his second failed term?

  • @[email protected]
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    202 months ago

    Reminds me of some story I heard a long time ago about a condom company making a wooden animal or something as a gift. I don’t know why I just thought of that, but somehow this seems weirdly similar.

  • @[email protected]
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    262 months ago

    Otherwise known as a national security risk with wings.

    Does anyone believe that (a) Qatar or one of its allies hasn’t planted more bugs than a termite infestation, and (b) Trump’s team is even remotely close to competent enough to find any of them?

  • WatDabney
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    502 months ago

    It strikes me that this in a way illustrates how delusional Trump is.

    He’s an egomaniac and a pathological narcissist, and he’s demonstrated repeatedly that he’s obsessed with how other people see him - he’s desperate to be respected and admired.

    And I have no doubt that he sees this gift as a mark of respect and admiration.

    And it very much is not - it’s the complete opposite in fact. It’s the Qatari royal family pretty clearly saying that while strengrhening ties with the US under another president would require a great deal of detailed discussion and negotiation, with Trump all it requires is giving him something bright and shiny.

    • @[email protected]
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      82 months ago

      The great thing about being really stupid is that you are too stupid to worry about things like this. There’s no reading between the lines when you can’t even read.

  • greenfire
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    172 months ago

    oh no—could not possibly be a “foreign emolument”-no no no!!!