Somewhere over the Atlantic, a gleaming private jet gifted by Qatar soars high, while EU leaders experience severe altitude envy down on earth.
According to ABC News, the Trump administration might be about to replace its Air Force One plane with a luxurious Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet, courtesy of the state of Qatar. Although the Gulf country says the deal is not final yet, the gift would obviously be the best way to commemorate that weird sword dance Donald Trump did in Saudi Arabia during his first mandate.
The Donald will probably have the plane upgraded with golden letters spelling ‘air force Don’ and a Diet Coke button under every seat before it can take off.
But on the other side of the pond, European politicians are fuming. Not because of ethical questions, or lack thereof — we are way past that at this point — but because they are the ones who had to endure a sobering EU parliamentary inquiry for a Qatar-related scandal; and what do they have to show for it? A mere Louis Vuitton bag stuffed with cash — peanuts!
It really does not sound fair. Qatargate involved a lot of bad press and even a few nights in pre-trial detention for some MEPs: The cash they allegedly received barely covered it. How does Donny get to use the jet while in office, and then see it donated to his presidential library foundation after his second stint in the White House is over?
Reports that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is considering a “strategic jet reserve inquiry” to ensure equal distribution of aviation-related gifts among all member countries are unconfirmed at the time of going to press.
But we can say for sure — or guess — that Hungary’s Viktor Orbán has called up Doha demanding to know why his buddy Donny got a plane while he’s still flying Wizz Air. After all, isn’t he the closest thing Europe has to a loud leader who loves to shout at the press while wearing oversized suits?
Back in Brussels, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola could match Queen Ursula’s response by launching her own internal review into “gift inequality” and “transatlantic favoritism.” Not to say she wants a jet, but if jets are being handed out by Gulf monarchies, Europe shouldn’t be left out.
Qatari officials, for their part, seem to be shrugging off accusations of favoritism. The Trump jet is not a done deal, and even if it were it would definitely not be a bribe connected to lobbying, foreign policy, or the sudden appearance of a golf course in the Doha suburbs named ‘Mar-a-Dunes.’ It’s just their version of calling to say I love you.
And Europe is left grounded yet again.
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