What is the emoluments clause? The ethics rule Qatar’s plane to Trump could flout

Published May 13, 2025 4:44pm ET



President Donald Trump’s openness to accepting a luxury jet from Qatar triggered sharp criticism from legal experts, who cited potential violations of the Constitution’s foreign emoluments clause.

Trump has defended the reported gift as “a gesture of good faith,” dismissing concerns that it violates U.S. ethics laws or the Constitution.

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