OK I will rate it optimistic though it seems opportunistic to me, that some pay to play schemes are in play between Trump and Qatar. I remember too, how Carter got quite a bit of money from the Saudi Arabia.
No. This was to demonstrate seriousness.
"Trust us" doesn't work with those who have a rocky record.
Qatar is serious so we are giving a few things a shot, if it works out it will lead to an actual good relationship with Qatar for the foreseeable future that can benefit both of our nations.
Just so you know, all presidents accept gifts - Hillary even tried carting some of hers out of the White House with her when Bill left the White House (a crime to steal from the American people).
They accept them on behalf of America and then the gift stays with the White House or eventually a museum depending on the gift.
Granted most are not planes, but nations giving other world leaders gifts is a normal thing. Pay to play is something else entirely.
Trump will not be allowed to take the plane home with him and future presidents will be able to employ it's use as they see fit. It's not Trump's plane.
Pay to play is when cash changes hands that has nothing to do with the American people, like The Clinton Foundation getting millions "donated" to them from foreign countries and then suddenly Hillary is selling our Uranium to the donor county - that type of thing. The type that enriches the politician under the table is pay to play.
An open gift, even one as large as a plane, is simply a diplomatic overture from one nation to another.
We would like things from Qatar and they would like things from us. A diplomatic overture is acceptable in such situations, and usually expected. We don't attend a dinner empty handed, let alone meet with a foreign dignitary if it can be helped.