Trump Defends Potential Acceptance of Qatari Jumbo Jet as Temporary Air Force One
Former President Donald Trump has defended the potential acceptance of a Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from Qatar’s royal family to serve as a temporary Air Force One. This move comes amid delays in the construction of a new Air Force One fleet by Boeing. Trump expressed his disappointment with Boeing’s progress during a press conference focused on drug prices.
"We’re very disappointed that it’s taking Boeing so long to build a new Air Force One," Trump stated. He highlighted the age of the current Air Force One, noting that it is 40 years old and outdated compared to modern aircraft.
Trump attributed the delays to issues stemming from the transition between administrations. He claimed that after he won the 2016 election, changes were made to the initial agreement with Boeing, leading to a "total mess."
Reports emerged that the Trump administration was considering accepting a $400 million Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from Qatar’s royal family. The plan, as reported by ABC News, was for Trump to use the jet until the end of his term, after which it would be donated to his presidential library.
Trump confirmed the potential gift on Truth Social, criticizing Democrats for questioning the arrangement. He framed the acceptance of the jet as a cost-saving measure for the Defense Department.
"So 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," Trump wrote.
He reiterated that upon returning to office, he was informed that the construction of the new Air Force One planes was significantly behind schedule. Trump argued that accepting the Qatari jet would be a "very nice gesture" and would help alleviate the financial burden of maintaining the aging current Air Force One.
"If we can get a 747 as a contribution to our Defense Department to use during a couple of years while they’re building the other ones. I think that was a very nice gesture. Now, I could be a stupid person to say, ‘Oh, no, we don’t want a free plane.’ We give free things, we’ll take one, two, and it helps us out. Because again, we’re talking about we have a 40-year-old aircraft. The money we spend, the maintenance we spend on those planes to keep them tippy-top is astronomical," he added.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also addressed concerns about the potential for a quid pro quo arrangement with Qatar. She assured the public that the donation would be subject to legal review to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and that Trump would act solely in the interests of the American public.
"The Qatari Government has graciously offered to donate a plane to the Department of Defense," Leavitt said. "The legal details of that are still being worked out. But, of course, any donation to this government is always done in full compliance with the law, and we commit ourselves to the utmost transparency, and we will continue to do that."
However, the proposed gift has drawn criticism, with Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., calling for an ethics investigation by the Government Accountability Office. Torres argued that accepting the jet would be the most expensive gift ever received by a U.S. president and raised concerns about potential violations of the Emoluments Clause.
"I am writing to express alarm over reports that President Donald Trump is poised to accept a luxury aircraft — a Boeing 747-8 — from the government of Qatar," Torres wrote. "The plane, so opulent it has been described as a ‘palace in the sky,’ is set to be made available to President Trump for official use as Air Force One and then for private use once he leaves office."
Torres labeled the potential acceptance of the gift a "flying grift" and criticized it as another instance of presidential profiteering.
The Emoluments Clause prohibits federal elected officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments or monarchs. Presidents have historically circumvented this clause by classifying gifts as gifts to the office of the president, which are then cataloged and stored in their presidential libraries. While presidents can access these items, they do not directly own them and must purchase them from the federal government to secure private ownership.
Leavitt reiterated that any gift received from a foreign government would be handled transparently and in compliance with the law.
"Any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws," Leavitt said. "President Trump’s Administration is committed to full transparency."
Trump is scheduled to travel to the Middle East and meet with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. However, a Trump administration official confirmed that the plane would not be presented to or accepted by Trump during this trip.
The current Air Force One fleet consists of two aging planes that have been considered for replacement since the Obama administration.
Trump criticized the government’s initial deal with Boeing to build a new Air Force One fleet in 2016, stating that the costs were "out of control, more than $4 billion." In 2018, he negotiated a $3.9 billion fixed-price agreement with Boeing to manufacture two new jets. However, construction is not expected to be completed until 2029.
Boeing affirmed its commitment to building the next generation of Air Force One, stating that it would provide American presidents with a "flying White House at outstanding value to taxpayers."
A Qatari embassy official stated that the potential transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is under review by the respective legal departments of Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Before becoming president, Trump traveled in his private Boeing 757 jet, known as "Trump Force One." This jet is emblazoned with Trump’s name and was frequently featured at his campaign rallies.
