Trumps $400M Qatari jet: Letters to the Editor May 16, 2025

The Issue: President Trump’s acceptance of a $400 million jumbo jet from Qatar’s royal family.About the Qatari plane: President Trump said it would be “stupid” not to take the gift (“Prez is acting plane reckless on Qatar,” Michael Goodwin, May 14).I wonder if this could be used by policemen or judges who take money that may influence what they do?Could their defense be: “It would be stupid not to take the free money”?Raymond ManganoBrooklynName one former Democratic president who would reject the offer of a jumbo jet while a new Air Force One is not yet ready for delivery.It does open the door for a chorus of criticism toward Trump.But there is nothing that makes Democrats happier than condemning things that are good for America.Colette CurryStaten IslandThere’s only one way to view Trump’s acceptance of a $400 million airplane.

Simply put, it is a Qatarpalooza of the worst kind.Imagine the blowback from GOP lawmakers if this had happened when Barack Obama was president.Shame on Trump for keeping the so-called gift.

Denny FreidenrichLaguna Beach, Calif.After all that Goodwin has written about the president, I think that he still doesn’t really “get” Trump.Trump sees Qatar’s offer of a $400 million plane for use as Air Force One not as a bribe, but as a “diss” at Boeing for the company being unable to deliver a new plane on time.As for Goodwin’s concern about how the Democrats will try to use this “bribe” against Trump in the midterms, I dare say that when Trump has inflation normalized, food prices down, interest rates reduced and the tax cuts made permanent, voters will look at their swollen IRAs and say Trump should keep the plane as a token of their appreciation.Jack KaufmanNaples, Fla.I’m sure you’ve heard the expression: “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.”Well, I think Donnie should beware of Qataris bearing gifts.How dumb can he be? It’s a Trojan horse.Harve KayeBrooklyn Stay up on the very latest with E...