Senator Ruben Gallego and other Democratic lawmakers face scrutiny over their previous expenses-paid Qatar excursion amid criticism of President Trump's acceptance of a Qatari royal family aircraft gift.
According to Fox News, photos have resurfaced showing Democratic lawmakers, including then-Representative Gallego and Representative Eric Swalwell, enjoying camel rides during their 2021 Qatar visit, which was funded by the U.S.-Qatar Business Council at a cost of approximately $85,000.
The controversy emerged after Gallego criticized Trump's acceptance of a $400 million jet from Qatar's royal family, calling it a "pay-to-play" scheme. Republican strategists quickly pointed out the apparent contradiction, sharing images of Gallego and Swalwell shirtless on camels during their Gulf emirate excursion.
The U.S.-Qatar Business Council, while not directly affiliated with Qatar's royal family, focuses exclusively on strengthening business relationships between the two nations. The organization covered travel expenses and work-related costs for five members of Congress, including four Democrats and one Republican.
Jacques Petit, Gallego's communications director, defended the senator's position, arguing that participating in a bipartisan congressional delegation differs significantly from accepting a multimillion-dollar aircraft. He dismissed comparisons between the two situations.
The total cost of the congressional trip represented more than half of all congressional travel expenses recorded in 2021, according to congressional database Legistorm. Representatives Lou Correa, Sara Jacobs, and Lisa McClain were also part of the delegation.
President Trump responded forcefully to Democratic criticism of the Qatar royal family's aircraft offer, emphasizing its practical purpose as a temporary replacement for the aging Air Force One fleet.
Trump took to Truth Social to address the controversy, where he stated:
The fact that the Defense Department is getting a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40 year old Air Force One, temporarily, in a very public and transparent transaction, so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, TOP DOLLAR, for the plane. Anybody can do that! The Dems are World Class Losers!!! MAGA
The aircraft gift comes amid ongoing delays in Boeing's development of a new Air Force One fleet, a process that began in 2018 under Trump's initial directive to upgrade the presidential aircraft.
The resurfaced photos have intensified debate over congressional oversight and ethical considerations regarding foreign gifts and sponsored travel. Swalwell's presence on the trip has drawn particular attention, given his previous removal from the House Intelligence Committee following concerns about his alleged interactions with a Chinese Communist Party spy.
The U.S.-Qatar Business Council clarified that while they covered official travel expenses, they did not fund recreational activities such as the camel excursion. This distinction has become central to discussions about the appropriate boundaries of foreign-sponsored congressional travel.
Representative McClain's participation as the sole Republican on the trip has highlighted questions about bipartisan approaches to Middle Eastern diplomacy and congressional delegation practices.
The controversy surrounding President Trump's acceptance of Qatar's aircraft gift and the Democratic lawmakers' previous Qatar visit underscores complex dynamics in U.S.-Qatar relations. Trump maintains that the aircraft acceptance represents a transparent and cost-effective solution to aging Air Force One fleet issues, while Democrats, led by Senator Gallego, argue it raises ethical concerns about foreign influence. As Boeing continues to face delays in delivering new Air Force One aircraft, the discussion about accepting Qatar's gift and its implications for diplomatic relations remains at the forefront of political discourse.
