Photo of Dem lawmakers riding camels during Qatar visit resurfaces amid Trump jet backlash

As Democrats continue to criticize President Donald Trump for accepting a $400 million jet from the Qatari royal family to be refurbished as Air Force One, photos have resurfaced of some Democratic lawmakers enjoying an expenses-paid trip to Qatar three years earlier. The trip, funded by the U.S.-Qatar Business Council, included four House Democrats and one Republican who visited the Gulf emirate in 2021.

During the trip, at least two of the Democrats participated in a camelback sightseeing excursion with their family members. While the trade group that sponsored the trip is not directly linked to the Qatari royal family, it focuses on enhancing business relations between the U.S. and Qatar.

The backlash from Republicans was swift, with accusations of hypocrisy leveled at the Democrats who criticized Trump for accepting the jet gift. Photos of now-Sen. Ruben Gallego and Rep. Eric Swalwell riding camels shirtless during their 2021 trip to Qatar went viral, sparking further controversy.

Gallego, who had accused Trump of engaging in a “pay-to-play” scheme, defended the 2021 trip, stating that it was not comparable to the president’s acceptance of the plane. The U.S.-Qatar Business Council clarified that they did not pay for the camel excursion, only covering travel and agenda-related expenses.

In response to the criticism, a spokesperson for Gallego emphasized the difference between a bipartisan congressional delegation trip and accepting a $400 million plane gift. The other lawmakers on the trip, including Reps. Lou Correa, Sara Jacobs, and Lisa McClain, also faced scrutiny for their participation.

President Trump defended his decision to accept the Qatari gift, citing the need for a temporary replacement for the aging Air Force One fleet. Boeing’s delays in rolling out a new fleet prompted the administration to consider the donated aircraft as an interim solution.

The controversy surrounding the Qatar trip and the jet gift highlights the complex relationships between lawmakers, trade groups, and foreign entities. As both parties engage in political mudslinging, the focus remains on transparency, ethics, and accountability in government dealings.