1. Qatar is bribing Trump with a $400 million luxury plane that he can use as Air Force One and take with him after he leaves office
Qatar is not acting out of altruism
It wants policy concessions to bolster its economy and national security
Trump is exploiting those needs to line his pockets
Why Qatar is bribing Trump
On Sunday, President Trump announced that the government of Qatar would be giving the "Defense Department" a luxury 747 aircraft to replace Air Force One.
2. Qatar is the 2nd-largest purchaser of US military equipment, just behind Saudi Arabia, and has a keen interest in ongoing access to high-tech weaponry
Trump toured the Qatari plane in February
In March, the admin approved the sale of $2 billion in military equipment, including 8 Predator drones
3. Qatar is also home to Al-Udeid Air Base, "the largest U.S. military facility in the Middle East" with about 13,000 American troops. The presence of the base serves as a security umbrella for the country and enhances its diplomatic stature in the region.
4. The U.S. is also important to Qatar economically. Both countries are major liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters, and Qatar desires access to advanced U.S. technologies and energy markets. The government of Qatar has a 70% stake in a new $10B LNG export hub in Texas known as Golden Pass LNG.
5. If Qatar transfers the plane to Trump, the complex process of outfitting the plane with the security features to serve as Air Force One will reportedly go to L3Harris, a military contractor.
6. L3Harris recently hired Trump-connected firm Ballard Partners, which also represented Qatar, to lobby the federal government on its behalf for "business development."
Why Qatar is bribing Trump
On Sunday, President Trump announced that the government of Qatar would be giving the "Defense Department" a luxury 747 aircraft to replace Air Force One.
