Reports indicate that the Trump administration is preparing to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from Qatar’s royal family, which would be retrofitted for use as a temporary Air Force One. The aircraft, valued at approximately $400 million, would serve as the presidential plane until shortly before President Donald Trump leaves office in January 2029. Ownership of the plane is expected to be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation after his term ends.
The proposed gift, which has not been officially confirmed by the White House, is slated to be announced during Trump’s upcoming trip to the Middle East, including stops in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This would mark the first extended foreign travel of Trump’s second term.
Trump appeared to acknowledge the plans in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, defending the acceptance of the plane as a cost-saving measure and criticizing Democrats for opposing the arrangement. He wrote that the Department of Defense receiving a “gift, free of charge” to replace the aging Air Force One “bothers the Crooked Democrats,” who insist the government pay full price.
The current Air Force One fleet consists of two heavily modified Boeing 747-200B aircraft that have been in service since the 1990s. The U.S. Air Force has been awaiting delivery of two new Boeing 747-8 models, known as VC-25Bs, but the program has faced significant delays and cost overruns. The gifted Qatari aircraft would provide a temporary solution during this period.
The arrangement has sparked controversy and raised legal and ethical questions. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers and government watchdog groups, argue that accepting such a valuable gift from a foreign government could violate the U.S. Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which prohibits officials from receiving gifts from foreign states without congressional approval. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the proposal, calling it an example of “foreign influence with extra legroom.”
Qatari officials have described the discussions as ongoing and have not confirmed a final decision. Meanwhile, White House representatives have stated that any foreign gifts would be accepted in full compliance with legal requirements. Legal reviews by the Department of Justice and other government bodies reportedly support the legality of the plan, emphasizing that the aircraft would be transferred to the presidential library, a private institution, after Trump’s presidency.
The gift would be among the most valuable ever received by the U.S. government and represents a highly unusual move in presidential logistics and foreign relations. The decision comes as Trump expresses frustration with Boeing over delays in delivering the new Air Force One jets originally scheduled for service in 2022 but now expected no earlier than 2027.
