Alejandra Caraballo: Beyond the open bribery, it's insane to use a foreign gifted jet as AF1 from a security standpoint

[Dennis Donovan]

Alejandra Caraballo
‪@esqueer.net‬
Beyond the open bribery, it's insane to use a foreign gifted jet as Air Force One from a security standpoint alone.

‪Ahmed Baba‬
‪@ahmedbaba.bsky.social‬
2h
The foreign emoluments clause was written to prevent exactly this. Blatantly unconstitutional

May 11, 2025 at 10:03 AM

https://bsky.app/profile/esqueer.net/post/3lovmozczlk2o

[dsc]

1. That was my first thought

In the 1980's the Soviets bugged our newly built embassy (as it was being built). That was a huge thing. Given the much better ability to hide bugs now vs then, the plane would be the biggest security risk imaginable.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

2. Fourth thread about this ABC News article. At least this one includes some other commentary. . . . . nt

[johnnyfins]

3. It's his palace,

Let him fly in it and worry about security.

[Orrex]

5. I think the security concern is that it will certainly be chock full of surveilance equipment.

Everything discussed aboard Air Farce 1 will be recorded for/transmitted to anyone who pays the buy-in to listen.

[Historic NY]

18. I don't think the Air Force will fly it

because it has no precautions or even communications. It is a huge target

[Orrex]

4. It would be a shame if it crashed and killed him and his entire cabinet

A damn shame.

[mountain grammy]

11. Yes a damn shame.

[Irish_Dem]

30. Heartbreaking and a damn shame.

[FSogol]

32. What if it did a flaming kamikaze directly into Mar-a lago?

[Blue Owl]

35. I would cry

tears of great joy…..

[hay rick]

6. Stretching the emoluments clause past the breaking point...again.

The fact that the gift will be used by only one president and then added to his "library" makes the bribery obvious...not that anybody had a moment of doubt.

[Trueblue Texan]

7. What emoluments clause?

No one has heard of that since the first TSF's inauguration.

[johnnyfins]

23. He is never going to build a library

[Irish_Dem]

31. He will for sure fund raise for a library.

Last edited Sun May 11, 2025, 05:57 PM - Edit history (1)

And pocket the cash.

[Karadeniz]

8. I thought all gifts to a us president were automatically the property of the govt.

[DFW]

14. Considering how many Russian and Iranian eavesdropping devices and how much extra transmitting software will be aboard

I think the question can be legitimately posed: property of WHICH government?

[Karadeniz]

21. Lawsuit needed now to clarify all these issues....

[DFW]

28. That would be a waste of time until January 20, 2029 in the afternoon.

Bondi would block any action over which she had jurisdiction, and the Supremes would block any conviction that managed to squeak by her. If things go any further, I'll have to start referring to her as Бонди.

[erpowers]

16. I Believe You Are Right

The problem is that rules and laws do not matter if someone does not want to abide by them and those that are supposed to hold that person accountable have no desire to hold him accountable. I am fairly certain the Republicans in Congress will go along with Trump taking this plane. That is the real problem. Trump knows that as long as the Republicans are in charge of Congress he can get away with anything and everything. Democrats need to gain control of Congress.

[GoCubsGo]

22. Yes. Let's all remember the HUGE stink the GOP made back when the Clintons

took some furniture on their way out that they thought was gifted to them. They were forced to give it back. The fucking hypocrite Republicans raged about it for years afterward. Apparently, the whole gifts thing doesn't apply to them.

[allegorical oracle]

34. This whole gift-to-POTUS topic is confusing as hell.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON, DC
As the highest representative of the people and government, the President accepts gifts on behalf of the United States of America. The phenomenon, as old as the Presidency itself, grows with each administration: Today a President may receive 15,000 gifts a year. They come from every state in the nation and every country in the world. Gifts from foreign leaders continue a rich diplomatic tradition of exchange between heads of state; those from citizens, both Americans and others, symbolize an inherently democratic exercise - ordinary people freely addressing, in every manner and form, the President of the United States.
.
https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/tokens_and_treasures/tokens_and_treasures_home.html

On the other hand, Public Citizen says this:

Employees of the Executive Branch are subject to regulations related to gifts that they may accept. The term “gift” refers to any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan or other item having monetary value. In particular, the term includes services as well as gifts of training, transportation, local travel, lodgings and meals, whether provided in-kind, by purchase of a ticket, payment in advance, or reimbursement after the expense has been incurred.

A gift is deemed to be ‘solicited’ if it is from a person other than an employee and would not have been solicited, offered, or given had the employee not held the status, authority or duties associated with his Federal position.

In general, an employee of the Executive Branch may accept a gift only if it is unsolicited and the:

-Favors or benefits are not offered under circumstances that might be construed by reasonable persons as influencing the performance of their governmental duties;

--Gift is not cash or a cash equivalent (e.g. stocks and bonds);

--Gift is valued at $20 or less; and the

--Aggregate value of gifts from one source in a calendar year is less than $50.

https://www.citizen.org/article/gift-rules-for-the-executive-branch/

So it's confusing whether he can keep such an expensive gift or not. But whether it's considered a "solicited gift" or not may be a key clue.

[patphil]

9. It's only a security problem if you actually care about such things.

Trump only sees the opulence and the idea that he'll be the first American president to have a flying Royal Throne Room.

[hunter]

27. A gold toilet and a high flow, high pressure shower.

Which will only increase the amount of fuel burned hauling the Fuckwit King and his entourage of assholes around.

[TommyT139]

33. He'll be the ranking member

...of the Mile High Colonic Club!

[republianmushroom]

10. Yup, but as stated "open bribery".

[Vinca]

12. And I imagine the Saudis won't get any special treatment in return. Right? (wink, wink)

[littlemissmartypants]

19. How do you think those folders in the MAL toilet turned up empty? ❤️

[Historic NY]

13. All gifts are the property of the people of the United States.

not Donald Trump

[Skittles]

15. meanwhile, you little girls need to stick to two dolls

[littlemissmartypants]

17. I dream of the day it's confiscated on behalf of the American people. ❤️

[Sogo]

20. Fully equipped with the most up-to-date surveillance devices,

so Qatar can stay abreast of US top secret intelligence matters that might be discussed on-board....You didn't really think this gift was FREE, did you Donny?

[Joinfortmill]

24. Our reputation is shot. We're done as leader of anything for a very long time. I hate this creature, named Trump.

[UTUSN]

25. Oh for the days when the open bribery was enough in itself.

[Nigrum Cattus]

26. Based upon current delivery date of planes -

They will never be "ready" in time.
It's been 10 years to build the current 2 in production.
Also, the current 2 planes were actually ordered by a
russian company and never delivered. russia, russia, russia

[LastDemocratInSC]

29. EMP protection, flare launchers, aerial refueling, secure communications?

[Ruby the Liberal]

36. Remember when Putin gave him a soccer ball in Helsinki?

Everyone was (rightfully) flipping out about possible embedded electronics.

Seems like a whole plane full of them might raise some eyebrows - but not a single MSM article is highlighting this, much less making it the headline (or even lede).

Its all about the bribe and radio silence on the national security implications.

And it isn't about Qatar - I would say the same thing if it came from Five (er, Four) eyes. He is too unstable NOT to be trying to get a step ahead of him.