Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said in a Sunday interview that the pending transfer of a Qatari luxury jet “detracts from” what he saw as President Trump‘s “largely successful” Middle East trip and “gives the appearance of a conflict of interest.”

Why it matters: Paul, who has already cautioned against the possible gift to Trump, is one of a group of Republicans who have raised legal, ethical and national security concerns over the prospect of the administration accepting a jet worth roughly $400 million to potentially serve as Air Force One.

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Paul said on ABC’s “This Week” that there is “probably a perfectly legal way” the plane could be accepted, but added that he thinks the discussion has “raised more questions than I think it’s worth.”

• Paul, who said he has in the past pushed to block arms sales to Qatar and Saudi Arabia over alleged human rights abuses, contended, “Could it color the perception of the administration if they have a $400 million plane to be more in favor of these things? Perhaps.”
• Paul continued, “It at least gives the appearance of a conflict of interest. I don’t think it’s worth the headache.”

Qatari jet “gives the appearance of a conflict of interest” for Trump, senator says

Paul said on ABC’s “This Week” that the discussion has “raised more questions than I think it’s worth.”

https://www.axios.com/2025/05/18/trump-qatari-jet-conflict-of-interest-rand-paul