Donald Trump

The White House may be courting controversy with President Trump’s plans to accept a luxury jumbo jet from the Qatari government, worth $400 million, as the potential new Air Force One — but his administration wouldn’t be the first to welcome lavish gifts from foreign leaders.

The practice goes all the way back to the founding of the country in 1776, with US leaders receiving all manner of exotic and expensive gifts from royalty and heads of government around the world.

In defending the gift of a super luxury jumbo jet he’s preparing to receive from the royal family of Qatar to use as Air Force One, President Donald Trump described it as a brilliant deal. Not for the American people, it isn’t. 

Doha’s decades-long history of buying influence in the U.S. is resurfacing amidst reports that President Donald Trump will accept a gifted luxury Boeing jet by the Qatari government.

U.S. President Donald Trump touched down in Saudi Arabia aboard Air Force One on Tuesday on the first stop of four day visit to the region, the first major overseas trip of his second term, with a focus on securing investment in the U.S. economy worth as much as $1 trillion.

President Trump on Tuesday said he would order an end to sanctions on Syria in place since 1979, and the White House said he would briefly meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharra on Thursday, a dramatic about-turn in U.S. policy toward a man who until recently led a group the United States labeled a terrorist organization.

"There is a new government that will hopefully succeed in stabilizing the country and keeping peace," Trump said to extended applause at an investment conference in Riyadh, where he made the first major foreign policy address of his second term.

President Donald Trump’s week-long trip to the Middle East is expected to result in several economic and business deals as he attempts to shore up relationships with Gulf states in one of the first major international trips of his second term.

President Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for the first major overseas trip of his second term. Over four days, he also plans to visit the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, from which he is trying to acquire a plane for use as Air Force One.

The Middle East has big security challenges, but Mr. Trump is there for deals.

Mr. Trump is not planning a visit to Israel, although the war in Gaza is raging and Hamas still holds hostages. And he has no intention of visiting Oman, where Iranian nuclear negotiations are taking place.

President Donald Trump is traveling to the Middle East to bring more investment to the U.S.

Trump departed Washington, D.C., on Monday ahead of planned visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates through the end of the week. While in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, the president will meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman as the dealmaking swing kicks off.

New tax cuts. Massive spending on border security. Cuts to social safety net programs. Pullbacks on investments to fight climate change. New limits on student loans. If it becomes law, President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans’ massive bill will reshape much of the federal government — and the U.S. economy.

GOP majorities in the House and Senate are attempting to move swiftly to reverse many of President Joe Biden’s legislative accomplishments and cement Trump’s legacy in the tax code, on the southern border and in generations-old anti-poverty benefits.

Hasan Piker, among the most influential voices in progressive politics, said over the weekend that he was detained and questioned by immigration officials at Chicago's O'Hare airport.

Newsweek reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for comment via email on Monday.