How Qatar Spent Billions to Gain Influence in the U.S.

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By Stephen Kalin, Eliot Brown and Joel Schectman

(The Wall Street Journal) — Qatar’s potential plan to provide a $400 million jumbo jet to the U.S. to use as Air Force One underscores how the tiny Gulf state has managed to diplomatically punch above its weight for years: It has a lot of money and is willing to spend it.

The country’s ruling monarchy has showered billions of dollars derived from its vast natural gas reserves on U.S. institutions, mainly the military and universities, while ramping up spending on lobbyists to tilt policy in its favor.

A growing chorus of Republicans and Democrats have criticized President Trump’s pursuit of the plane, arguing it presents national-security concerns.

Trump has defended the plane offer, saying he would be stupid not to accept it.

A senior administration official said Wednesday that Trump hopes to have the plane ready to use by the end of the year, and isn’t considering abandoning the plan. “The choice is accepting a gift and saving the American taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. There are no strings attached either contractually or implicitly,” the official said, adding: “It’s a beautiful plane for a beautiful price and what’s wrong with that?”