Gifts from Jihadists in Suits

by Pa Rock

Citizen Journalist 

Two months ago this blog carried a piece by me entitled "Influence Peddling 101" which discussed rich man Elon Musk's donations of nearly $300 million to the Trump campaign in 2024 as a way of purchasing influence with what he hoped would be the next presidential administration.  Musk's influence purchase paid off bigly when he was appointed head of a new (unofficial) government agency that the Trump administration created called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and the immigrant billionaire was essentially handed the keys to the government along with its private information on every American.

But the influence that Elon bought and paid for did not end with his ability to peek into every nook and cranny in the US government and to promote and protect his own business dealings with the government.  Oh, no.  Elon also got one of the world's greatest hucksters on speed dial.  When Elon's Tesla car business began sliding into the crapper because of the boss's inattention, he quickly rang up Donald and used his  bought-and-paid-for "influence" to get the President of the United States to host a Tesla infomercial on the South Lawn of the White House.  It was an appalling commercialization of America's House to benefit one car company over many others.

Influence peddling isn't the same thing as bribery.  It's not a quid pro quo - I'll do something for you in exchange for something from you.  Instead it's more like a bet on the future:  I'll do something for you, and when the need arises you can do something for me.  One party has gifted something in the hopes that one day that gift may influence an action by the other party.

Yesterday the news began circulating that the government of Qatar was giving a new $400 million Boeing 747 luxury jetliner to the Trump administration, a flying "palace in the sky," for use as Air Force One while he finishes serving out his second term.  But that pricey present is not a gift to the US government, at least not on a permanent basis.  When Trump leaves office it will become the property of his presidential library and available for his personal travel.

(Other former President's, those who didn't continually have their hands out and pockets open, fly commercial.)

It would take a complete blithering fool to believe the Qataris are not expecting a nice return on that investment.  This deal stinks so badly that even some of the hardcore MAGAts are repulsed.  Right-wing extremist Laura Loomer who has Trump's ear (the good one, not the one with the scratch) on hiring and firing, had this to say on "X":

I love President Trump.

I would take a bullet for him.

But, I have to call a spade a spade.

We cannot accept a $400 million "gift" from jihadists in suits.

The Qataris fund the same Iranian proxies in Hamas and Hezbollah who have murdered US Service Members.  The same proxies that have worked with the Mexican cartels to get jihadists across our border.

This is really going to be such a stain on the admin if this is true.

And I say that as someone who would take a bullet for Trump.

I'm so disappointed.

The Constitution bars Presidents from accepting gifts from foreign governments without the express permission of Congress, but apparently Attorney General Pam Bondi, who used to be a well paid lobbyist for Qatar, is reportedly prepared to sign off on the deal, as is also the White House lawyer.  Trump, who seems to really, really want this flying palace, is pointing out that it is not a bribe because Qatar is getting nothing in return.

At least not yet.

Meanwhile Republicans in the House are proposing steep cuts to Medicaid, ones that will reach deep into the pockets of many Americans, little girls are getting five dolls instead of thirty, and the price of eggs is still too damned high!

And Donald Trump will be flying in style for the rest of his life - thanks to jihadists in suits!

And the grift goes on . . . yeah, the grift goes on.