Trump administration poised to accept ‘palace in the sky’ as a gift for Trump from Qatar: Sources

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-administration-poised-accept-palace-sky-gift-trump/story?id=121680511

The luxury jumbo jet is to be used as Air Force One, sources told ABC News.

May 11, 2025, 7:02 AM

In what may be the most valuable gift ever extended to the United States from a foreign government, the Trump administration is preparing to accept a super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the royal family of Qatar — a gift that is to be available for use by President Donald Trump as the new Air Force One until shortly before he leaves office, at which time ownership of the plane will be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation, sources familiar with the proposed arrangement told ABC News.

The gift is expected to be announced next week, when Trump visits Qatar on the first foreign trip of his second term, according to sources familiar with the plans.

Trump toured the plane, which is so opulently configured it is known as “a flying palace,” while it was parked at the West Palm Beach International Airport in February.

PHOTO: A 13-year-old private Boeing aircraft that President Donald Trump toured to check out new hardware and technology features and highlight the aircraft maker's delay in delivering updated versions of the Air Force One presidential aircraft.
A 13-year-old private Boeing aircraft that President Donald Trump toured on Saturday to check out new hardware and technology features and highlight the aircraft maker’s delay in delivering updated versions of the Air Force One presidential aircraft, takes off from Palm Beach International Airport, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (A…Show more
Ben Curtis/AP

The highly unusual — unprecedented — arrangement is sure to raise questions about whether it is legal for the Trump administration, and ultimately, the Trump presidential library foundation, to accept such a valuable gift from a foreign power.

Anticipating those questions, sources told ABC News that lawyers for the White House counsel’s office and the Department of Justice drafted an analysis for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth concluding that is legal for the Department of Defense to accept the aircraft as a gift and later turn it over to the Trump library, and that it does not violate laws against bribery or the Constitution’s prohibition (the emoluments clause) of any U.S. government official accepting gifts “from any King, Prince or foreign State.”

Sources told ABC News that Attorney General Pam Bondi and Trump’s top White House lawyer David Warrington concluded it would be “legally permissible” for the donation of the aircraft to be conditioned on transferring its ownership to Trump’s presidential library before the end of his term, according to sources familiar with their determination.

The sources said Bondi provided a legal memorandum addressed to the White House counsel’s office last week after Warrington asked her for advice on the legality of the Pentagon accepting such a donation.

The White House and DOJ didn’t immediately respond to request for comment. A spokesperson for the Qatari embassy did not respond to ABC’s inquiries.

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after disembarking Marine One upon arrival on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Sunday, May 4, 2025.
Rod Lamkey/AP

The plane will initially be transferred to the United States Air Force, which will modify the 13-year-old aircraft to meet the U.S. military specifications required for any aircraft used to transport the president of the United States, multiple sources familiar with the proposed arrangement said.

The plane will then be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation no later than Jan. 1, 2029, and any costs relating to its transfer will be paid for by the U.S. Air Force, the sources told ABC News.

According to aviation industry experts, the estimated value of the aircraft Trump will inherit is about $400 million, and that’s without the additional communications security equipment the Air Force will need to add to properly secure and outfit the plane in order to safely transport the commander in chief.

As the Wall Street Journal first reported, the aviation company L3Harris has already been commissioned to overhaul the plane to meet the requirements of a presidential jet.

President Donald Trump walks to board Marine One to depart for Alabama, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 1, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters

Both the White House and DOJ concluded that because the gift is not conditioned on any official act, it does not constitute bribery, the sources said. Bondi’s legal analysis also says it does not run afoul of the Constitution’s prohibition on foreign gifts because the plane is not being given to an individual, but rather to the United States Air Force and, eventually, to the presidential library foundation, the sources said.

The primary aircraft used in the current Air Force One fleet includes two aging Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets that have been operational since 1990. The Air Force contract with Boeing to replace those aircraft has been riddled with delays and cost overruns.

The original contract was signed in 2018, but as of last year, Boeing anticipated the aircraft would not be ready until 2029, after Trump leaves office.

The president has expressed deep frustration with the delays, tasking Elon Musk to work with Boeing and the Air Force to speed up the process. Those efforts have been modestly successful. Boeing’s most recent estimated delivery date is now 2027, but Trump has made it clear he wants a new plane this year.

Sunday’s Political cartoons / memes / and news items. I may started doing these a third day as they get too long.

Since cis het men who are natural born US citizens commit the most crimes, I think they should have markers on their IDs, restricted state to state travel, higher insurance and tax rates, separate restrooms, and state sanctioned vasectomies at 14 because they cause 100% of unwanted pregnancies.

Mueller, She Wrote (@muellershewrote.com) 2025-05-07T15:36:30.220Z

Sending love and support to our transgender service members. Thank you for your continued desire to serve and protect this country. I’m so sorry this pathetic draft dodger has any say in who can defend our country and the Constitution since he has no intention of doing either. 🤍🏳️‍⚧️

Dana Goldberg (@dgcomedy.bsky.social) 2025-05-06T19:09:34.186Z

Trump administration erases school shooting victims at ATF headquarters

Mother Jones (@motherjones.com) 2025-05-07T15:04:55.722Z

I feel bad for their son but not them.

Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan.bsky.social) 2025-05-06T19:38:46.143Z

I’m more concerned about our fighter jets at the bottom of the Red Sea.

Ron Filipkowski (@ronfilipkowski.bsky.social) 2025-05-07T01:41:03.799Z

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You know, many of the grievances against King George III that Thomas Jefferson and others listed in the Declaration of Independence seem to apply to Trump:

–>He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
–>He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
–>He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
–>He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
–>For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world
–>For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent
–>For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury
–>For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
–>For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments.

Art of the deal is raising the tariff to 145% then cutting it almost in half despite the fact that China has made no concessions and has completely ignored you. Xi just sits back at laughs at our orange clown.

Ron Filipkowski (@ronfilipkowski.bsky.social) 2025-05-09T11:51:27.682Z

When two Popes dislike you, it’s a divine sign.

George Takei (@georgetakei.bsky.social) 2025-05-09T15:37:49.270Z

Rome has a pope who listens to Jesus.Washington has a president who listens to Putin.

Bill Caine (@billcaineusa.bsky.social) 2025-05-09T15:12:23.651Z

 

#racial coding from Liberals Are Cool

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#surgeon general from Liberals Are Cool

#surgeon general from Liberals Are Cool

#michelle obama from Liberals Are Cool

Image from Liberals Are Cool

Image from Liberals Are Cool

Image from Liberals Are Cool

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Kash Patel was ATF director and never showed up for the job. Now he is skipping out at FBI?

MAGA are literally, and you don’t often get to use literally with such precision, the worst people for the job.

Patel wanted power and clout, not the responsibility attached. Destroying agencies through embarrassingly unqualified leadership is Patel’s one skill.

It’s a theme with this administration.

https://liberalsarecool.com/post/783102346059186176/kash-patel-was-atf-director-and-never-showed-up

Image from Liberals Are Cool

Image from Liberals Are Cool

Image from Liberals Are Cool

Image from Liberals Are Cool

Image from Liberals Are Cool

#separation of church and state from Liberals Are Cool

#due process from Liberals Are Cool

#due process from Liberals Are Cool

Image from Liberals Are Cool

Image from Liberals Are Cool

#pope leo from Liberals Are Cool

#pope leo from Liberals Are Cool

Image from Liberals Are Cool

Image from Liberals Are Cool

Image from Liberals Are Cool

Image from Liberals Are Cool

Image from Liberals Are Cool

#trade deal from Liberals Are Cool

 

Image from Liberals Are Cool

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#FEMA from Liberals Are Cool

Image from Liberals Are Cool

Yes, this is EXACTLY what you voted for.

You voted for a clown sleep farting through his court case. A convicted felon and lifelong rapist. The swamp incarnate. A narcissist and fraud willing to do anything to enrich himself.

Voting for Harris/Walz was clearly better considering your kids’ student debt and husband’s job situation.

You picked the unserious choice. You lost.

https://liberalsarecool.com/post/783004389932777472/yes-this-is-exactly-what-you-voted-for-you

Image from Depsidase

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It’s not illegal to be here. It’s a misdemeanor.

Kidnappings and shipping innocent people to foreign prisons is a crime.

https://liberalsarecool.com/post/782996630928506881

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Nancy Mace is such an imbicile. All gender is men and women. Any gender can use the bathroom. I have all gender bathrooms in my house. So does Nancy Mace.

Conservatives are unabashed losers.

Posting a POS by a bathroom door is very meta.

Nancy Mace is trying to make a career out of manipulated outrage and cringe morals.

https://liberalsarecool.com/post/782991026728140800/nancy-mace-is-such-an-imbicile-all-gender-is-men

#trumpcession from Liberals Are Cool

#harvard from Liberals Are Cool

Image from Liberals Are Cool

#school vouchers from Liberals Are Cool

#ai from Liberals Are Cool

 

A wonderful romantic night

Hello everyone.  I have slowed down posting about Ron and myself other than the home repairs.  Some because I have been so tired and worn out from trying to help Ron as he worked on the new bathrooms by doing as much housework as I could around the house.  But I Ron realized I was trying so hard to pitch in to help as he did the remodeling that I was getting sick / ill.  He has been insisting and pushing me to not help so much.  But yesterday was grand.  

We had a small supper of a few hotdogs with homemade chili.  I ate one.  Then we picked everything up and went to bed together.  We had “quality time” if you can read between the lines.  Then we cuddled back and forth and fell asleep in each other’s arms.  Then at around 1:20 am we both woke up to urinate … it is an old man thing.  But we started talking and I was hungry as I felt my blood sugar was dropping bad.  He was also hungry.  So I suggested that we get up and have waffles with him showing me how to use the waffle maker.   So we got up in our birthday suit to come from the bedroom to the kitchen and learned that the stuff to make a good waffle meal we did not have.  So I offered to make a scrambled egg, link sausage, ham steak, and toast meal.  We had the stuff but it was more than we had planned for that time.  I thought he would just want to go back to bed.  But he agreed.  He offered to do it, but I felt I wanted to.  

I got 6 eggs out, and I use a sharp knife using the sharp edge to snap the eggshell to break open the eggshells with no fragments in the bowls.  Then I add a small amount of water to add fluffy ness to them.  We had 6 frozen sausage links which I fried and the ham steak.  I fried the sausage and ham, then I did the eggs.  

Everything came out perfect and Ron was so impressed that as he ate he told me it was the most wonderful midnight meal he had ever had.  I admit I had only one sausage, a quarter of the ham steak, And only one of my two pieces of toast.  Ron ate the rest including my sausage, rest of my ham steak, and my second piece of toast.  I was so happy and full but so tired.  I picked stuff up while Ron sat in his chair and then we decided to go back to bed.  I was willing as I was very happy as my belly was full and everything seemed wonderful.   

Then as we laid there cuddling talking about things … Ron made me very happy with a second quality time event. He asked me … how could I refuse.   I was so spent and happy … that we slept in the next morning with him still in my arms. 

Today I have had little time for the blog.  I did get time to add more stuff to my cartoon / meme / news item post.  But mostly while Ron rested and worked on the new bathroom I did the dishes, started  / did laundry, and took care of the house stuff.  But all day Ron has been so concerned for my health he has tried to keep me from doing stuff, wanting me to just take the entire day off and rest.  I so love that man.  For supper he made me a stir fry meal with both thick noodles and angel hair pasta.  I love it.  I do miss the Chinese take out we sometimes still order because I love the hot / sour soup.  

Central Park Pride Concert Cancelled Over “Security Concerns” About Singer Accused Of Being Anti-Israel

Pride events are very expensive to put on.   Most of the cost is security and insurance.  The more threats from haters, normally fundamentalist religious people, the more security needed and the more costly insurance is.  It is another weapon the haters of the LGBTQ+ community have learned to use to shut down events for people they hate.  So much for freedoms these people keep demanding for themselves but want to deny to others.   Hugs


 

May 7, 2025

New York City’s NBC affiliate reports:

Kehlani ‘s planned concert in Central Park next month has been canceled after New York City’s mayor raised security concerns about the R&B star’s performance during Pride month, organizers announced Monday.

The “After Hours” singer had been set to headline a June 26 concert billed as “Pride with Kehlani” at the Manhattan park as part of SummerStage, an annual slate of free concerts at parks across the city.

But organizers, in their announcement, cited concerns from Mayor Eric Adams’ administration about the “controversy surrounding Cornell University’s decision to cancel Kehlani’s concert at the University, as well as security demands in Central Park and throughout the City for other Pride events during that same period.”

The Cornell Sun reports:

Following the April 10 announcement of Kehlani as the original Slope Day headliner, some students and parents criticized the artist’s anti-Israel rhetoric and social media presence. Cornellians for Israel also launched a petition against the selection of Kehlani as the Slope Day headliner that accumulated over 5,000 signatures.

Cornell revoked Kehlani’s invitation to headline Slope Day over what President Michael Kotlikoff labeled “antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments.”

But the cancellation sparked criticism from student groups about freedom of speech and institutional neutrality. The Community Slope Day Instagram account urged students to “boycott Slope Day,” writing that Kehlani’s “opposition to the genocide in Palestine isn’t hateful” and that the decision was made “without representative input of the student body.”

It doesn’t appear that Kehlani has any affiliation with NYC Pride itself. The cult is celebrating the cancellation. The recent single below has 32 million views on YouTube.

They’re doing it again, they are so messed up and hurtful. They are destroying everything they touch Part 2

Trump & Deportations: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

John Oliver discusses the recent deportations by the Trump administration, the conditions in the facility people are being sent to abroad, and why even Henry Winkler could be in danger of being expelled from the U.S. Yeah, even national treasure Henry Winkler.

Mayor arrested ice building detention center with no permit says the can do it because the are ICE

https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/09/us/new-jersey-mayor-arrested-at-ice-detention-center?cid=ios_app

Best Wishes and Hugs,
Scottie

Just that easy

Support for the LGBTQ+ in the tRump hate era.

FYI, Salt Lake City isn't alone in doing adopting special flags to circumvent the new state law. The Boise City Council did the same thing last night. From @fox13news.bsky.social's sister-station in Boise: http://www.kivitv.com/downtown-boi… #utpol #Utah

Ben Winslow (@benwinslow.bsky.social) 2025-05-07T12:47:58.625Z

On Tuesday night, the Boise City Council voted 5 to 1 to pass a resolution that marks the Pride flag as one of three official city flags.

Boise State Public Radio (@boisestatepublicradio.org) 2025-05-07T14:08:03.774Z

THE GUARDIAN: Woman says Boston hotel guard told her to leave bathroom because she ‘was a man ’

Woman says Boston hotel guard told her to leave bathroom because she ‘was a man’
Same-sex couple says they were appalled after being confronted and wrongfully accused in women’s restroom

Read in The Guardian: https://apple.news/AOLFi1RHVQQqgh8A8aThzOw

Shared from Apple News

Best Wishes and Hugs,Scottie