The Trump administration is preparing to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the Qatari royal family. This gift may be among the most valuable ever given to the United States by a foreign government. Sources revealed that the aircraft dubbed a “flying palace,” will temporarily serve as Air Force One before being transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by early 2029.
Though the gift was originally expected to be announced during Trump’s upcoming visit to Qatar, a senior White House official clarified that the formal presentation will not occur during this trip. However, Trump confirmed the arrangement on social media, describing it as a “very public and transparent transaction” facilitated through the Department of Defense.
The lavish jet, which Trump inspected earlier this year in West Palm Beach, will first be handed over to the U.S. Air Force. It will then be retrofitted to meet stringent military and communications specifications necessary for presidential use, with the conversion handled by defence contractor L3Harris.
Legal experts within the White House Counsel’s Office and the Department of Justice, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, concluded that the gift was lawful. Their analysis stated that since the plane was first given to the Department of Defense and later to the Trump library, it does not violate anti-bribery laws or the Constitution’s emoluments clause.
Qatar’s media attaché Ali Al-Ansari confirmed the aircraft transfer is under active discussion between the Qatari Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense. The total estimated value of the aircraft is around $400 million, excluding the added costs of military-grade modifications, which will be covered by the Air Force.
Critics have been quick to respond. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer remarked sarcastically, “Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar.” Rep. Adam Schiff referenced the Constitution’s Title of Nobility clause, calling the gift part of Trump’s “brazen” corruption.
In defence, the White House emphasized that all protocols were followed and that the gift was not conditioned on any policy actions. Bondi’s legal memo reportedly argued the donation is not personally to Trump, but to government institutions and the future Trump library, therefore sidestepping legal concerns.
The Air Force’s current fleet of presidential aircraft includes two ageing Boeing 747-200s dating back to 1990. Efforts to replace them have faced long delays, with Boeing now estimating 2027 delivery for new jets. Frustrated with the timeline, Trump has pressed for a quicker solution—making the Qatari jet a timely and controversial alternative – Abc News
