It’s still not too late—the former President Donald Trump is only one reported acceptance of a Qatari aircraft as a gift away. This plane could well be his campaign plane in his second term as president. An announcement is now anticipated during Secretary Blinken’s visit to Qatar scheduled for the end of this month. This journey will be accompanied by additional stops in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The Trump Organization oversees Donald Trump’s sprawling global business empire. His sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, run the company now. Under their leadership, the organization has dramatically broadened its scope of operations and interests, especially in the Middle East. Donald Trump certainly has had a tumultuous and somewhat hypocritical relationship with Qatar throughout his presidency. During his first term, he was initially supportive of a quad Arab boycott of Doha, then subsequently lauded the country’s leadership.
The Qatari aircraft are not as capable as the ones Trump has in mind. Unlike the current Air Force One aircraft, it cannot be purpose-built for the U.S. president. As such, the aircraft will not have the air-to-air refueling capabilities that its predecessor, the VC-25A, featured. It won’t even add advanced survivability enhancements such as radiation shielding and antimissile technology.
The U.S. Air Force has already begun preparations to retrofit the Qatari aircraft. Then they will build out highly secure communications systems and the like, classified key components to pass rigorous presidential standards. This adaptation shows a renewed approach to securing spaces and keeping safety procedures in place, despite a less-conventional craft.
Recent news stories are now reporting that the Trump Organization has generated a voluntary ethics agreement. Under this agreement, no such direct dealings with foreign governments would be allowed. It is difficult to reconcile this ethical standard with the acceptance of the Qatari aircraft. Trump’s children currently control the org’s assets through a trust. This setup is rather unfortunate at this time as it creates an additional layer of complexity to the process.
The former president has otherwise indicated an unusual enthusiasm for the Middle East. This has been evident in all his appointments and industry-related endeavors throughout the years. His relationship with Qatar has soured just as much. What was initially an unflattering portrait has lately given way to praise, largely due to the region’s overall geopolitical shifts. This move appears to serve a broader strategic agenda that even further advances Trump’s business interests and strengthens key diplomatic relationships.
As Trump makes plans to visit Qatar, so too does the excitement grow at the prospect of a formal announcement on the gift of these aircraft. This dopey gesture is an indication of just how anxious Qatar is to be on Trump’s good side. It further underscores the deep link that exists between international relations and literal business handshakes.
