Some Republicans say they haven’t paid attention to Trump’s Qatari plane deal controversy

President Donald Trump’s recent decision to accept a $400 million jet from the Qatari royal family has sparked controversy among Democrats and Republicans alike. While Democrats have criticized the move as unconstitutional and a violation of the GIFT Act, Republicans have raised national security concerns and admitted they have not been briefed on the details of the deal.

Fox News Digital reached out to Senate Republicans for their reaction to Trump accepting the luxury Boeing jet from Qatar. However, many senators, including Sen. Bill Cassidy and Sen. Joni Ernst, claimed they were not aware of the specifics of the deal and needed more information before commenting.

Sen. Susan Collins, known for her willingness to break from party lines, expressed concerns about the gift potentially violating the GIFT Act, which prohibits federal employees from accepting gifts from foreign governments. Democrats have also pointed to the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits elected officials from accepting gifts from foreign countries without congressional consent.

On the other hand, Republican Sen. Rick Scott raised national security concerns, citing Qatar’s support for Hamas as a potential threat to the president’s safety. Sen. Eric Schmitt, however, viewed the gift as a “good deal for the government” and emphasized that the Boeing 747 would be used as Air Force One after being retrofitted by the Department of Defense.

The Trump administration has defended the acceptance of the Qatari jet, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarifying that it was donated to the U.S. Air Force, not to Trump personally. Trump himself defended the decision, arguing that it would be foolish not to accept a free gift from a country like Qatar that has benefited from U.S. defense.

In a series of agreements signed with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Trump secured a purchasing agreement for 160 American Boeing planes, defense agreements, and a declaration of cooperation between the two countries. Despite criticism and concerns, Trump remains adamant that accepting the Qatari jet is in the best interest of the United States.

As the debate over the Qatari jet gift continues, it remains to be seen how Congress will respond to the deal. The White House has not yet indicated whether they plan to discuss the specifics of the gift with lawmakers. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

Deirdre Heavey is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.