PARIS Fury has predicted her hubby Tyson will burst into tears when he walks their daughter Venezuela down the aisle.
The wife of ex-world heavyweight champion Tyson, 37, has opened up about the surprise family engagement, and revealed that 16-year-old Venezuela’s fiance boxer boyfriend Noah Price asked Gypsy King Tyson’s permission before popping the question.
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Paris Fury has revealed boxer Tyson will burst into tears when he walks their daughter down the aisleCredit: GettyVenezuela got engaged at her 16th birthday partyCredit: InstagramVenezuela with now fiance Noah Price at Ascot last yearCredit: InstagramThe family at Venezuala’s birthdayCredit: TikTok/@parisvenezuela
Paris said: “I think Tyson will get teary and emotional giving Venezuela away. He might be strong, but underneath he is softer than I am.
“If he is feeling the love that day, he will be balling. She’s our daughter.”
She added: “Hopefully it’s not too close in the future though, we hope Venezuela has time to embrace her engagement.
Recalling the proposal, which saw Noah get down on one knee in front of Venezuela’s family and friends last month, she said: “Noah asked for Tyson’s permission to propose to her at her 16th birthday shortly before he proposed.
“I didn’t get involved, but I had an inkling it might happen.
“It’s an old fashioned tradition, Tyson asked my dad for his permission to propose to me, we believe in that.”
She added: “But when it happened I was so nervous and my hands were shaking.”
Speaking at the launch of her new Eternal Collagen, held at the Grosvenor House Suites in London on Thursday (MUST REF) mum-of-seven Paris hopes her business venture inspires Venezuela to continue working as an influencer once she is married.
She said: “I want to inspire my kids, you can be a mum, and a wife and have it all.
“I know Venezuela is only 16, but she’s happy, we support her. I know in my heart this is the right thing for her.
“In the traveller, gypsy community, traditionally we get married young, I was 17, but 50 years ago everyone in England got married young.
“I’ve given Venezuela every option in life and this is what she has chosen, she has an independent woman and makes decisions for herself.”
Speaking about the secret to her long-lasting relationship with Tyson Paris said: “You can’t delude yourself that relationships are hard, there will always be ups and downs.
“But Tyson and I have just renewed our wedding vows and we are cringingly still in love, even after all these years.
“We’re still madly in love.
“As long as the good times outweigh the bad times. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I look at Tyson and think, ‘you’re a pain in my the arse’ but most of the time I love him.
“You have to put the time in, especially when you’re juggling family and work. We’re being negligent at the minute, as we love to do date night, and we have had it enough.
How Venezuela Fury ‘could be a millionaire by age 16’ with her own modelling career
WITH a heavyweight boxing champ for a dad and a bestselling author mum, it’s likely that Venezuela Fury has a bright future ahead of her.
And the 15-year-old is already shaping up to be one of the most popular teenagers on the internet, racking up 70,000 followers on Instagram and more than 200,000 followers on TikTok.
The star has already caught the attention of modelling agencies, who have claimed that her unique style could make her a “millionaire by the time she’s 16.”
Gemma Howorth, Founder of Body London Model Management is convinced that Venezuela’s “gorgeous” looks and “strong social presence”, could make her a lot of money from modelling – before she even turns 16.
“Venezuela is very young but if correctly managed could really do well with a strong fashion-focused brand like Boohoo and then go on to develop an exciting modelling career,” she said.
According to Carol Needham, who runs Needham’s Models, Venezuela could even follow in the footsteps of Katie Price’s daughter, 17-year-old Princess Andre, and sign a deal with PrettyLittleThing.
“Seeing someone like Venezuela Fury is truly unique,” Carol said.
“She’s almost 6ft tall at 15 years old and has her own signature style in modelling, especially with her teapot pose.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if PrettyLittleThing wanted to snap her up!”
Princess signed a four-figure deal with the fast-fashion brand back in January, and some experts predict the move could see her become a millionaire by the time she’s 18.
“We love to have a date night at the movies with popcorn or go 10 pin bowling, just as long as we are together and having fun.
“It’s about getting glammed up and flirting, you’ve got to flirt and date each other. It helps keep the love alive, I love it when Tyson has had a shave.”
Paris has partnered with Eternal Collagen, which she calls the perfect solution for busy women looking to take care of themselves.
Unlike other products on the market, Eternal Collagen delivers a strong 15,000 milligrams per shot of super strength hydrolysed marine collagen and is packed with essential vitamins, including vitamin D, vitamin C, and vitamin B12.
Speaking about her collaboration with Eternal Collagen, Paris said: “It’s got all the vitamins that you need to make you healthy and glow.
“Since I’ve started taking it I’ve noticed so many changes, I never used to be able to grow my nails, but now I can.
“My skin is glowing and clear, my hair is growing fast and I keep having to go to the hairdressers. I also feel really great, all my kids got ill recently, but I didn’t get it, that’s because it’s so good for your immune system.”
She added: “I would only endorse a product I believe in.”
Venezuela is set to have a ‘knees-up with as much glitz and glamour as possible’Credit: instagramNoah Price popped the question at Venezuela’s sweet 16th birthday partyCredit: instagram
Married at First Sight UK returned tonight and E4 viewers saw bride Sarah getting emotional before walking down the aisle as she spoke about the loss of her late mother
MAFS UK: Sarah opens up about missing her late mum
One of the brides on the new series of Married at First Sight UK was seen emotional just minutes into the launch episode whilst discussing her life. Sarah spoke about losing her late mother Julie ahead of walking down the aisle.
Sarah, 31, from Aberdeen, was introduced on the E4 show tonight in the first episode of the latest series. She brought up the loss at her joint hen do with some of her co-stars ahead of her match in the experiment being unveiled.
The recruitment consultant said that she would be walked down the aisle by her dad, who she described as her “rock”. Sarah then spoke about her mother Julie, saying: “I lost my mum was I was 22. She passed away. So she won’t be there.”
Married at First Sight UK bride Sarah was emotional talking about her family in a confessional ahead of her wedding being shown(Image: E4)
In a confessional on the show, Sarah told viewers: “My mum was my hero but round the age of 12 I noticed that she had a problem with alcohol. I would come home from school and I would find her intoxicated on the couch so I had to take on a carer role, essentially, at a really young age.”
Sarah was seen looking through a photo album with her father as they reflected on the past. Moments later, she was seen in tears as she opened up about her mother’s death in a confessional that was shown amid the hen party scenes.
She shared with viewers in the scene that was broadcast earlier this evening: “By the time I was 22, she was admitted to hospital for the final time.” Visibly emotional, bride Sarah then added: “She passed away three days later.”
As she wiped tears from her eyes, Sarah said that she took “comfort” from her mother being “at peace”. She said: “We went back to see her and she was so at peace, which is the comfort that I take from it and I miss her all the time.”
She shared with viewers that her late mother Julie had died when Sarah was in her early twenties(Image: E4)
At the party with her co-stars, Sarah said: “So [I’ve] sort of gone into most of my adult life obviously not having my mum.” She shared that she particularly finds it “quite hard” going into life events and “not having her there”.
Sarah, who moments later suggested that she didn’t want to get “upset” at the party, added: “One of those things like it’s never really like the same but you just get on with it.” She then told the group that mother will be “so proud” of her.
The bride said: “She’d be absolutely buzzing and I know she will be watching this being like ‘go on Saz’. Like ‘you’ve got this girl’ so she’s gonna be so proud of me.” The group then raised a glass to her late mother Julie in the scene.
If you are struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction, advice and support can be found at alcoholchange.org.uk.
The new series of MAFS UK continues tomorrow night on E4 from 9pm. The first episode is available on demand.
LIDL will be selling a Thermomix dupe that is significantly cheaper than the original.
Savings of more than £1,000 can be made with this middle aisle purchase from the discount retailer.
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The new Thermomix UK TM7 has been priced at £1,349Credit: Thermomix
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Lidl has a version of the gadget for as low as £299Credit: Lidl
Lidl is about to sell a dupe of the Thermomix worth £1,349 for just £299 for Lidl Plus customers.
Called the Monsieur Cuisine Smart, this exciting kitchen appliance will be in stores from Thursday, September 4.
It is a multi-functional device that can be used for everything you need, from food processing, cooking, searing, steaming, kneading, blending, and stirring.
There are even programming options available for it to chop, shred, grind, pure or emulsify ingredients.
You can therefore make anything from soups, sauces, or vegetable, meat or noodle dishes.
The smart device has WiFi functions that provides free monthly recipe updates with a registered user account, along with over 600 pre-installed recipes with step-by-step instructions through its cooking pilot.
There is also guided video cooking for selected recipes, that can be played on its fast-reacting 8-inch display screen.
On top of that, there is voice control capabilities that can be activated via Google Assistant.
Kitchen scales have been integrated into the device to enable weighing of ingredients that have been placed directly into the pot.
With 1000W power, up to 1kg of dough can be processes, through 10 speed settings including turbo function for pulse blending.
I’m a thrifty cook – I avoid oven costs by making a whole roast chicken dinner in my slow cooker
Kneading dough or stirring soups and stews can be carried out in the anti-clockwise motion the Monsieur Cuisine provides.
Furthermore, its facilitates precise cooking with temperatures from 37-130C that can be set in five degree increments.
There is also a 99 minute timer.
All the accessories are dishwasher safe, including the 4.5L stainless steel blender jug and various attachments that include a steamer, blade, and mixer.
The product is exclusively available for Lidl Plus customers to reserve from August 21 to 25 on the Lidl Plus App.
Regular customers can then purchase the Monsieur Cuisine once they are available in store next month.
Lidl’s version of the Thermomix seems to come with many functionalities of the original, at a much more affordable price.
This deal comes after Lidl was also found selling another kitchen appliance that can be used for baking at a price £400 cheaper than others.
The budget-friendly retailer also had XL dual view air fryer available for just £79.99 this summer.
Lidl’s 15L Salter air fryer was half the price of Curry’s version, with six cooking functions and a sleek LED display.
How to compare prices to get the best deal
JUST because something is on offer, or is part of a sale, it doesn’t mean it’s always a good deal.
There are plenty of comparison websites out there that’ll check prices for you – so don’t be left paying more than you have to.
Most of them work by comparing the prices across hundreds of retailers.
Here are some that we recommend:
Google Shopping is a tool that lets users search for and compare prices for products across the web. Simply type in keywords, or a product number, to bring up search results.
Price Spy logs the history of how much something costs from over 3,000 different retailers, including Argos, Amazon, eBay and the supermarkets. Once you select an individual product you can quickly compare which stores have the best price and which have it in stock.
Idealo is another website that lets you compare prices between retailers. All shoppers need to do is search for the item they need and the website will rank them from the cheapest to the most expensive one.
CamelCamelCamel only works on goods being sold on Amazon. To use it, type in the URL of the product you want to check the price of.
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Lidl Monsieur Cuisine Smart comes equipped with a screen displaying a range of recipesCredit: Lidl
ALDI shoppers are racing to the Middle Aisle for a £2.99 car cleaning essential that leaves motors sparkling – with zero smears.
The bargain buy doesn’t just work wonders on windows and bodywork, it also smells amazing.
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This £2.99 car wash wonder from Aldi’s Specialbuys is a glovebox must-haveCredit: Aldi
This ready-to-use formula is a glovebox game-changer, helping you tackle dirt, bugs and road grime in seconds – with no smears in sight.
PRODUCT DETAILS
The Ride & Go Cherry Scented Screen Wash is just £2.99 for a massive 5L bottle, making it an absolute steal.
And the best bit?
It leaves behind a sweet cherry scent, so your windscreen’s not the only thing getting a freshen up.
Don’t get caught with a filthy screen – stock up while it’s still on shelves.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
Shoppers say the streak-free finish rivals big-name brands – but for a fraction of the price.
The all-in-one liquid wash lifts dirt, dust and grime in seconds, leaving your car looking showroom-fresh without the elbow grease.
And with its fresh, clean scent, it’s not just your paintwork that gets a glow-up – your whole motor will smell lush too.
All UK car dealerships will STOP selling 10,000s of iconic brand’s used models impacted by lethal airbag flaw
Whether you’re prepping for a road trip or just want to impress on the school run, this £2.99 wonder is a glovebox must-have.
And it’s one of the cheapest screen washes on the market – with some retailers charging up to a tenner for similar products.
Even Halfords and B&Q’s versions come in at £7.49, making Aldi’s deal an absolute bargain for drivers who want a clear view without the hefty price tag.
Aldilaunches fresh Specialbuys every Thursday and Sunday.
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Aldi launches fresh Specialbuys every Thursday and SundayCredit: Getty
When’s the best time to shop at Aldi?
WHEN it comes to shopping at Aldi, the best time to do so depends on what you want to buy.
For reduced items – when shops open
Red sticker items are rare at Aldi’s 830 UK stores, but the supermarket says that none of its food goes to waste so there are some to be found – if you’re quick.
A spokesman for the supermarket said: “All items are reduced to 50 per cent of the recommend sales price before stores open on their best before or use by dates.”
That means you have the best chance of finding reduced food items if you go into stores as soon as it opens.
Opening times vary by shop but a majority open from 7am or 8am. You can find your nearest store’s times by using the supermarket’s online shop finder tool.
For Specialbuys – Thursdays and Sundays
Specialbuys are Aldi’s weekly collection of items that it doesn’t normally sell, which can range from pizza ovens to power tools.
New stock comes into stores every Thursday and Sunday, so naturally, these are the best days to visit for the best one-off special deals.
For an even better chance of bagging the best items, head there for your local store’s opening time.
Remember: once they’re gone, they’re gone, so if there’s something you really want, visit as early as possible
Flight attendants are seen multiple times walking on the aisle. Other than serving foods and drinks, there’s one important task they must complete during the flight.
Flight attendants are seen walking on the aisle several times, but for what?(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Being a flight attendant has lots of perks, such as travelling around the world. Still, it’s a tough job with a lot of responsibilities, especially for the passenger’s safety.
That said, there’s one important task all flight attendants must regularly complete throughout the flight. Have you ever wondered why flight attendants walk the aisle on certain occasions and even multiple times – even when most of the cabin is asleep? They’re not just stretching their legs, they are actually completing vital safety checks.
From serving drinks and meals, answering questions, offering duty-free, and going through pre-flight checks, cabin crew members are also tasked with being incredibly alert. This means no snoozing on the job, unless it’s a long-haul flight where attendants are designated periods of rest.
The crew has to complete a mandatory check every 30 minutes(Image: Getty Images)
Whether it’s a short or long flight, safety is the number one priority when flying. As explained on Go Opti’s website, the crew completes a mandatory check every 30 minutes to see if passengers need any assistance or anything that should be reported.
This check also applies at night, when all the lights are off and passengers are asleep. The website says: “Even if the passengers are sleeping, the cabin crew must keep checking that all is well. They will look for anything unusual and scan the passengers and the cabin. The flight crew must be checked upon every 30 minutes to make sure that they are ok and to see if they need anything.”
And their safety first policy doesn’t just come into play mid-flight, they are expected to see every passenger as they get on-board. During boarding, the cabin crew is responsible for identifying passengers who might be able to assist in the event of an emergency, along with anyone who may be unfit to fly. When seeing passengers get off, the crew has to ensure no one – or their belongings – are left behind.
On average, flight attendant safety training can last four and six weeks, including real-life scenarios and practical exercises. Walking on the aisle is just one of them.
The exact frequency varies depending on the flight duration. Nonetheless, whether it’s a one-hour or a 16-hour journey, flight attendants will always be alert to keep everyone onboard safe.
Next time, don’t be surprised when you see the cabin crew walking on the aisle. Whether they’re serving food and drinks or swapping areas with their colleagues, they’re also checking out for your safety and at your disposal whenever you need their assistance.
At just £14.99, this is a great alternative to the Bosch version.
It’s 4V and it comes with four BBQ attachments: a BBQ blower, corkscrew, and salt and pepper mill.
For reference, the similar Bosch 3.6V 1 x 2 Li-ion Cordless Screwdriver IXO 7 costs £35 and doesn’t come with the accessories.
Lidl says the screwdriver set can be used around the house, in the kitchen and with your BBQ.
It has a USB-C charging port and a USB-C charging cable, although it doesn’t come with a mains adaptor.
It has a 15-piece bit set with standard screwhead profiles, plus a bit extension.
Parents race to Lidl for middle aisle bargains including 2 in 1 sandpit for £29
The screwdriver also comes with a three-year warranty.
Braun All-In-One Style Kit – £34.99
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This 9-in-1 kit costs £10 less in Lidl than it does on the Braun websiteCredit: Lidl
For the dad who likes to keep well-groomed, you could pick up this trimmer kit.
The 9-in-1 kit can be used to style your hair, beard, ears, nose and more.
Lidl describes the trimmer as having “ultra-sharp blades for precise and effortless grooming”.
Its RRP is £67.49 on the Braun website but it’s selling on there currently for £44.99.
That means you can make a £10 saving by heading to Lidl and also save on delivery fees.
Auriol Watch – £14.99
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The Auriol Watch comes in the colours green, black, yellow or blueCredit: Lidl
Keep your dad looking sharp with this trendy-looking watch which comes in a range of colours.
It has a silver strap but you can get the face in either green, black, yellow or blue.
The link strap is adjustable and it’s also water resistant.
Plus, it comes with a three-year warranty.
T-shirts – £4.99
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You can get T-shirts for £4.99 featuring Captain America, Spider-Man or The MandalorianCredit: Lidl
Nerdier dads might like these T-shirts featuring Captain America, Spider-Man or The Mandalorian.
Of course, they’re all dad-themed as well.
The Mandalorian T-shirt says “The Dadalorian, this is the way” with a black-and-white cartoon of The Mandalorian holding Baby Yoda.
The Spider-Man one says “Dad, you’re my super hero” while the Captain America one reads “Honorable Dad”.
All are made with cotton and come in the sizes medium to extra-large.
Socks – £3.99
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These Super Dad socks would be perfect for comic book fansCredit: Lidl
If your dad has ever told you just to buy him socks for Father’s Day, you’re in luck.
Lidl has a range of three bargain-friendly pairs of socks.
You can get a pair of comic-book-style “Super Dad” ones, a pair with taches and glasses, or a black chequered pair for the more serious man.
Father’s Day picture books
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These would be great for storytime and they all have a cute Father’s Day themeCredit: Lidl
Dads of younger children may like these picture books all themed around Father’s Day.
They include Just One Hug, My Daddy and Me, and I Love You Daddy.
Lidl’s description says each book has “a gentle, rhyming story and beautiful illustrations” and is “perfect for sharing with your little one”.
Puzzle books – £1.99
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If your dad likes to solve puzzles, this could make a good bargain presentCredit: Lidl
Get his mind working with these bargain puzzle books.
All are priced at £1.99 and they include a Wordsearch Puzzle Book, Sudoku Puzzle Book and three Crime Puzzle Books.
Why do Aldi and Lidl have such fast checkouts
IF you’ve ever shopped in Aldi or Lidl then you’ll probably have experienced its ultra-fast checkout staff.
Aldi’s speedy reputation is no mistake, in fact, the supermarket claims that its tills are 40 per cent quicker than rivals.
It’s all part of Aldi’s plan to be as efficient as possible – and this, the budget shop claims, helps keep costs low for shoppers.
Efficient barcodes on packaging means staff are able to scan items as quickly as possible, with the majority of products having multiple barcodes to speed up the process.
It also uses “shelf-ready” packaging which keeps costs low when it comes to replenishing stock.
President Trump has spent the first major overseas trip of his second administration — next stop Wednesday in Qatar — beating back allegations that he was personally profiting from foreign leaders by accepting a $400-million luxury airliner from the Gulf state’s royal family.
Trump has bristled at the notion that he should turn down such a gift, saying he would be “stupid” to do so and that Democrats were “World Class Losers” for suggesting it was not only wrong but also unconstitutional.
But Democrats were hardly alone in criticizing the arrangement as Trump prepared for broad trade discussions in Doha, the Qatari capital.
Several top Republicans in Congress have expressed concerns about the deal, including that the plane would be a security risk. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) on Tuesday said there were “lots of issues associated with that offer which I think need to be further talked about,” and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), another member of the Republican leadership team, said that Trump and the White House “need to look at the constitutionality” of the deal and that she would be “checking for bugs” on the plane, a clear reference to fears that Qatar may see the jetliner as an intelligence asset.
Criticism of the deal has even arisen among the deep-red MAGA ranks. In an online post echoed by other right-wing influencers in Trump’s orbit, loyalist Laura Loomer wrote that while she would “take a bullet for Trump,” the Qatar deal would be “a stain” on his administration.
The broad outrage in some ways reflected the stark optics of the deal, which would provide Trump with the superluxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet — known as the “palace in the sky” — for free, to be transferred to his personal presidential library upon his departure from office.
Accepting a lavish gift from the Persian Gulf nation makes even some stolid Trump allies queasy because of Qatar’s record of abuses against its Shiite Muslim minority and its funding of Hamas, the militant group whose attack on Israel touched off a prolonged war in the region.
Critics have called the deal an out-and-out bribe for future influence by the Qatari royal family, and one that would clearly come due at some point — raising serious questions around the U.S.’ ability to act with its own geopolitical interests in mind in the future, rather than Qatar’s.
Trump and Qatar have rejected that framing but have also deflected questions about what Qatar expects to receive in return for the jet.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, in response to detailed questions from The Times, said in a statement that Trump “is compliant with all conflict-of-interest rules, and only acts in the best interests of the American public — which is why they overwhelmingly re-elected him to this office, despite years of lies and false accusations against him and his businesses from the fake news media.”
Leavitt has previously said it was “ridiculous” for the media to “suggest that President Trump is doing anything for his own benefit,” because he “left a life of luxury and a life of running a very successful real estate empire for public service, not just once, but twice.”
Ali Al-Ansari, media attache at the Qatari Embassy in Washington, did not respond to a request for comment.
Beyond the specific concern about Qatar potentially holding influence over Trump, the jet deal also escalated deeper concerns among critics that Trump, his family and his administration are using their political influence to improperly enrich themselves more broadly — including through the creation of a $Trump cryptocurrency meme coin and a promised Washington dinner for its top investors.
Experts and other critics have for years accused Trump of violating constitutional constraints on the president and other federal officials accepting gifts, or “emoluments,” from foreign states without the express approval of Congress.
During Trump’s first term, allegations that he was flouting the law and using his office to enrich himself — including by maintaining an active stake in his golf courses and former Washington hotel while foreign dignitaries seeking to curry favor with him racked up massive bills there — went all the way to the Supreme Court before being dismissed as moot after he’d been voted out of office.
Since Trump’s return to office, however, concerns over his monetizing the nation’s highest office and the power and influence that come with it have exploded once more — and from disparate corners of the political landscape.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), left, speaks with Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security oversight hearing on May 8, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
(Julia Demaree Nikhinson / Associated Press)
In a speech last month on the Senate floor, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) alleged dozens of examples of Trump and others in his family and administration misusing their positions for personal gain — what Murphy called “mind-blowing corruption” in Trump’s first 100 days.
Murphy mentioned, among other examples, the meme coin and dinner; corporations under federal investigation donating millions to Trump’s inaugural fund and those investigations being halted soon after he took office; reports that Trump has sold meetings with him at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida for millions of dollars; and Donald Trump Jr.’s creation of a private Washington club with million-dollar dues and promises of interactions with administration officials.
Murphy also noted Trump’s orders to fire inspectors general and other watchdogs meant to keep an eye out for corruption and pay-to-play tactics in the federal government, and his scaling back of laws meant to discourage it, such as the Foreign Agents Registration Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the Corporate Transparency Act.
“Donald Trump wants to numb this country into believing that this is just how government works. That he’s owed this. That every president is owed this. That government has always been corrupt, and he’s just doing it out in the open,” Murphy said. “But this is not how government works.”
When news of the Qatar jet deal broke, Murphy joined other Democratic colleagues on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in a statement denouncing it.
“Any president who accepts this kind of gift, valued at $400 million, from a foreign government creates a clear conflict of interest, raises serious national security questions, invites foreign influence, and undermines public trust in our government,” the senators wrote. “No one — not even the president — is above the law.”
Other lawmakers — from both parties — have also weighed in.
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) blasted Trump’s acceptance of the plane as his “lastest con” and a clear attempt by the Qatari government to “curry favor” with him.
“This is why the emoluments clause is in the Constitution to begin with. It was put in there for a reason,” Schiff said. “And the reason was that the founding fathers wanted to make sure that any action taken by the president of the United States, or frankly any other person holding federal public office, wasn’t going to be influenced by getting some big gift.”
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said in an interview with MSNBC on Monday that he did not think it was a “good idea” for Trump to accept the jet — which he said wouldn’t “pass the smell test” for many Americans.
Experts and those further out on the American political spectrum agreed.
Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of UC Berkeley School of Law and an expert in constitutional law, said the gift of the jet, “if it is to Trump personally,” clearly violates a provision that precludes the president from receiving any benefit from a foreign country, which America’s founders barred because they were concerned about “foreign governments holding influence over the president.”
Richard Painter, the top White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, said that Trump accepting the jet would be unconstitutional. And he scoffed at the ethics of doing business with a nation that has been criticized as having a bleak human rights record.
“After spending millions helping Hamas build tunnels and rockets, Qatar has enough to buy this emolumental gift for” Trump, Painter wrote on X. “But the Constitution says Congress must consent first.”
Painter criticized the White House justifying the deal by saying that Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi had “signed off” on it, given Bondi’s past work for the Qatari government, and said he knew of no precedent for a president receiving a lavish gift without the approval of Congress. He noted that Ambassador Benjamin Franklin received a diamond-encrusted snuff box from France’s King Louis XVI, but only with the OK from Congress.
Robert Weissman, co-president of the progressive nonprofit Public Citizen, said that it was unclear whether Trump would heed the cautionary notes coming from within his own party, but that the Republican-controlled Congress should nonetheless vote on whether the jet was a proper gift for him to receive.
“If the members of Congress think this is fine, then they can say so,” Weissman said, “and the voters can hold them accountable.”
Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro, a prominent backer of Trump, criticized the deal on his podcast Monday, saying that Trump supporters would “all be freaking out” if Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, had accepted it.
“President Trump promised to drain the swamp,” Shapiro said. “This is not, in fact, draining the swamp.”
