Free Planes, Crypto Grifts, and Bugged Embassies: The High Price of “Gifts” in High Places

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Ever heard the saying, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch”? Well, it seems in the gilded world of international diplomacy and high finance, there’s definitely no such thing as a free plane. Especially when that plane is a $400 million luxury jumbo jet allegedly gifted not to a government, but to an individual — in this case, Donald Trump, courtesy of Qatar. This isn’t just a generous present; it’s a move that flies directly in the face of the US Constitution’s ban on foreign emoluments. Let’s call a spade a spade: it stinks of bribery.

While the exact quid pro quo remains veiled, one can’t help but raise an eyebrow at the flurry of Trump family business deals in the region, including a new 18-hole golf course and Trump-branded villas, all conveniently materializing around state visits. The message is as clear as the desert sky: access and influence come with a hefty price tag, and it seems some are more than willing to pay.

But the jet might just be the tip of the iceberg. The truly modern grift, it appears, is playing out in the volatile world of cryptocurrency. Picture this: the night before an inauguration, a new crypto token, $MELANIA, is unveiled. In the mere 150 seconds before the official social media announcement, a select group of traders snap up $2.6…