Guile High Club

“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.” ABC News: Trump administration poised to accept ‘palace in the sky’ as a gift for Trump from Qatar. Chuck Schumer: “Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar. It’s not just bribery, it’s premium foreign influence with extra legroom.” Trump: “I mean, I could be a stupid person and say, ‘No, we don’t want a free, very expensive airplane,’ … I thought it was a great gesture.” (I sure hope American democracy is equipped with landing gear…)

+ “The Trump Organization has agreed to a new Middle East golf course and real estate deal that involves a Qatari government-owned firm, two weeks before President Trump is set to travel to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on a state visit.” NYT (Gift Article): New Mideast Project Is Latest Trump Company Deal Tied to a Foreign Government.

+ The crypto coin auction, “which ends Monday, has set off a spectacle that has drawn bipartisan criticism, triggered a suspicious trading pattern, and left a sitting United States president wide open to attempts to corruptly influence him.” NYT (Gift Article): Auction to Dine With Trump Creates Foreign Influence Opportunity.