Coverage dated May 12, 2025 to May 19, 2025

Sources contradict Trump narrative about Qatar offering plane as ‘gift’ | News Channel 3-12

Headline from KEYT Santa Barbara, on the newest of 4 developments

By Alex Marquardt, Kristen Holmes and Natasha Bertrand, CNN (CNN) — The Trump administration first approached Qatar to inquire about acquiring a

KEYT Santa Barbara's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

Developments in this update

4 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

May 13, 2025
Donald Trump compares Qatar gift to Statue of Liberty
Headline from Newsweek ·
May 15, 2025
Qatar’s $400 million plane gift to Trump is likely unconstitutional, experts say
Headline from Poynter ·
May 18, 2025
Donald Trump says Qatar "donating" Boeing 747 to US
Headline from Newsweek ·
May 20, 2025Newest
Sources contradict Trump narrative about Qatar offering plane as ‘gift’ | News Channel 3-12
Headline from KEYT Santa Barbara ·

1 report not tied to one development ·

Read the reports

Reports & sources

48 articles, oldest first.

The Hill
Trump goes on defense over Qatar jet gift (opens The Hill)
Published May 12, 2025
The Hill's feed description
President Trump defended his decision to accept a luxury Boeing jet from Qatar, calling it “stupid” for him to turn it down amid an influx of criticism from both sides of the aisle over the gift. “I could be a stupid person and say, ‘Oh no, we don’t want a free plane.’ We give free…
CNN
‘It’s a bribe’: MAGA media stars bash Trump’s reported Qatar plane gift (opens CNN)
Published May 12, 2025
CNN's feed description
Some of Trump’s staunchest supporters are among the loudest critics of his plan to accept a jet from Doha for use as Air Force One.
The Daily Caller
‘A Little Bit Problematic’: Brit Hume Breaks Down Why Qatar’s Gift Possibly More Toxic Than Trump Realizes (opens The Daily Caller)
Published May 12, 2025
The Daily Caller's feed description
Brit Hume warned on Fox News Monday that Qatar’s donation of a luxury aircraft to the U.S. government for President Donald Trump’s use.
New York Post
Qatar’s ‘Palace in the Sky’ jet is NOT a ‘free gift’ — and Trump shouldn’t accept it as one (opens New York Post)
Published May 12, 2025
New York Post's feed description
President Donald Trump is bragging of winning a $400 million “gift” — a “palace in the sky” Boeing 747-8 jet — from Qatar that, in effect, he’ll eventually own personally. But in truth, it's far from free; Qatar will surely expect something in return. And the optics are obscene.
Time
'Bribe Force One': Democrats Seize on Qatar Plane Deal (opens Time)
Published May 12, 2025
Time's feed description
Trump’s plan to accept a $400 million luxury aircraft from Qatar has ignited a full-blown firestorm among Democrats in Congress
The Hill
Senate GOP weighs safety, legal concerns over Trump Qatar jet gift (opens The Hill)
Published May 12, 2025
The Hill's feed description
Senate Republicans on Monday indicated they have multiple concerns with President Trump potentially being gifted a new luxury jet from Qatar, ranging from safety to legal and ethical worries. Trump on Monday defended his potential acceptance of a new Boeing 747-8 airplane from the government of Qata…
The Guardian
Trump faces backlash of Maga faithful over plan to accept plane gift from Qatar (opens The Guardian)
Published May 12, 2025
The Guardian's feed description
Some of president’s most devoted supporters speak out against accepting $400m luxury jet as new Air Force One
Fox News
Trump's $400M Qatar jet gift follows long history of unusual presidential presents (opens Fox News)
Published May 12, 2025
Fox News's feed description
President Trump plans to accept a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar as Air Force One, sparking controversy. Explore the history of foreign gifts to US presidents.
Latin Times
Newsmax Turns on Trump Over Accepting Qatar Luxury Plane 'Bribe': 'This is Not a Gift' (opens Latin Times)
Published May 12, 2025
Latin Times's feed description
Newsmax added that Hamas views the gift as a first agreement with the U.S.
The Daily Signal
Qatar’s Offer of Gift of Presidential Jet to Trump Encounters Turbulence in Senate (opens The Daily Signal)
Published May 12, 2025
The Daily Signal's feed description
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and other senators weigh in on Qatar’s offer of a $400 million presidential jet to Trump.
Time
Trump Doubles Down on Plan to Accept Qatar's Plane Gift (opens Time)
Published May 13, 2025
Time's feed description
“Only a fool would not accept this gift on behalf of our country,” Trump said, opening up about his plans for the luxury jet.
Fox News
Trump clarifies ownership of aircraft in defense of Qatar's gift (opens Fox News)
Published May 13, 2025
Fox News's feed description
The United States will receive a luxury Boeing 747 from Qatar, which would serve as a temporary Air Force One, President Donald Trump said.
Fox News
Trump continues to defend Qatar gifting US $400M jet: 'We should have the most impressive plane' (opens Fox News)
Published May 13, 2025
Fox News's feed description
President Donald Trump continued to defend his acceptance of a $400 million luxury jet from the Qatari royal family to temporarily use as Air Force One during an exclusive interview with Sean Hannity.
Newsweek
Donald Trump compares Qatar gift to Statue of Liberty (opens Newsweek)
Published May 13, 2025
Newsweek's feed description
President Donald Trump has continued to defend accepting a Boeing 747 from Qatar amid criticism from Democrats and Republicans.
The Daily Caller
Alan Dershowitz Breaks Down If Trump Can Legally Accept $400 Million Qatari Plane (opens The Daily Caller)
Published May 13, 2025
The Daily Caller's feed description
Noted attorney Alan Dershowitz detailed two reasons Donald Trump would probably be able to keep a 747 reportedly being gifted to the United States by Qatar.
The Hill
Trump’s luxury gifted plane from Qatar is laughably corrupt (opens The Hill)
Published May 13, 2025
The Hill's feed description
The Qatari plane might never take off. But the message already has.
The Hill
Democrats heap scrutiny on Trump jet gift: ‘It is gross, it is reckless, it is corrupt’ (opens The Hill)
Published May 13, 2025
The Hill's feed description
Democrats are heaping scrutiny on President Trump for potentially accepting a jet gifted by Qatar. One senator called it "the most blatant, obvious, ridiculous, gross corruption that I've ever seen."
The Guardian
Donald Trump doubles down on luxury aircraft gift from Qatar (opens The Guardian)
Published May 13, 2025
The Guardian's feed description
President said US ‘should have the most impressive plane’, though experts say it would cost over $1bn to convert it
Military Times
Dems demand military investigation into Qatar’s plane gift to Trump (opens Military Times)
Published May 13, 2025
Military Times's feed description
Lawmakers worry the expensive gift could create financial and legal issues for the Defense Department.
Latin Times
Trump Equates Qatar's Luxury Plane Gift to the Statue of Liberty (opens Latin Times)
Published May 13, 2025
Latin Times's feed description
President Donald Trump is defending his decision to accept a $400 million plane from Qatar, boosting claims likening the luxury jet to the Statue of Liberty.
Fox News
Trump visits Qatar as country's jet offer puts spotlight on nation's growing influence in Washington (opens Fox News)
Published May 13, 2025
Fox News's feed description
President Donald Trump’s deepening ties with Qatar come with a free jet offer amid the Gulf state's growing influence in American policy and business.
PolitiFact
Experts: Qatar’s plane gift to Trump likely unconstitutional (opens PolitiFact)
Published May 13, 2025
PolitiFact's feed description
President Donald Trump expressed willingness to accept a plane from Qatar to be used as Air Force One. Legal experts said that’s likely unconstitutional.
Poynter
Qatar’s $400 million plane gift to Trump is likely unconstitutional, experts say (opens Poynter)
Published May 14, 2025
Poynter's feed description
It likely violates the foreign emoluments clause, which prohibits officials from accepting presents from foreign states without congressional approval
The Atlantic
The Darker Design Behind Trump’s $400 Million Plane (opens The Atlantic)
Published May 14, 2025
The Atlantic's feed description
Through Qatar’s gift of a luxury jet, Trump has escalated American soft corruption to a garish new extreme.
Rolling Stone
Trump to Qatar, Which Is Giving Him a Jet: 'We Are Going to Protect You' (opens Rolling Stone)
Published May 14, 2025
Rolling Stone's feed description
President Donald Trump vowed to "protect" Qatar amid a corruption controversy around the nation gifting him a $400 million luxury jet.

Showing the first 25 of 46 headlines. ·

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.