P
resident Trump has confirmed that his administration plans to accept a $400 million luxury jet from the Qatari royal family, which he intends to use as Air Force One for the remainder of his term and transfer to his presidential foundation after leaving office. The president defended the move, saying only a "stupid person" would turn down such an offer, but critics argue that accepting the gift could violate the Constitution's ban on foreign emoluments.

    Some of Trump's supporters have questioned whether accepting the jet constitutes bribery, with columnist Batya Ungar-Sargon calling it a "bribe" and Daily Wire cofounder Ben Shapiro saying it would be a stain on the administration. Independent watchdogs point out that this is part of an emerging pattern of Trump enriching himself and advancing his personal interests while in office.

    The president's interest in the Qatari jet is not isolated, as he has used his second term to openly enrich himself and advance his personal interests in ways that make his first-term ethics complaints look quaint. With Trump now on a Middle East trip to countries where his family's private company has made lucrative business deals, there are concerns about corruption and conflicts of interest.

    The Trump Organization has struck its first foreign deal since the president returned to office: a new luxury golf and beachside-villa complex in Qatar. Critics argue that it is impossible to tell whether decisions being made by the White House are for the good of the country or for the benefit of the Trump Organization.

    Trump's financial disclosure report shows he still makes money from various ventures, including a cryptocurrency firm called World Liberty Financial, which has sold at least $550 million in digital coins. An Emirati venture fund backed by the government of Abu Dhabi is using the Trump firm's digital coins to make a $2 billion business deal.

    The president's shift on cryptocurrency is notable, as he initially expressed skepticism but later pledged to transform the United States into "the crypto capital of the planet." The crypto industry spent tens of millions of dollars to help Trump win and donated $18 million to his inauguration.