President Donald Trump is expected to accept a luxurious Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from Qatar’s ruling family during his upcoming Middle East trip — a gift U.S. officials say may serve as a temporary Air Force One.
While Qatari authorities stated no final decision has been made, Trump endorsed the proposal, framing it as a financially responsible choice for the country.
“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 on his social media platform Sunday. “Anybody can do that!”
Trump poised to accept luxury jet from Qatar’s Royal family, may be used as Air Force One
According to ABC News, Trump would use the jet through the remainder of his presidency, with ownership eventually transferring to the foundation managing his planned presidential library.
The announcement is anticipated during Trump’s visit to Qatar, which also includes stops in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — marking the most extensive foreign trip of his second term.
Qatar’s media attaché, Ali Al-Ansari, previously said, “The possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is currently under consideration between Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense.” He added that legal departments are still reviewing the proposal.
Anticipating scrutiny, administration officials have reportedly drafted a legal justification claiming the arrangement does not violate the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign states without congressional approval.
Still, critics have raised alarms over the potential ethical and security implications.
Kathleen Clark, a government ethics expert at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, said Trump appears “committed to exploiting the federal government’s power, not on behalf of policy goals, but for amassing personal wealth.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer sarcastically remarked, “Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar,” calling the deal “premium foreign influence with extra legroom.”
Even some conservative commentators voiced concern, citing national security risks if the U.S. president were to use an aircraft provided by a foreign government.
Trump reportedly plans to have the Qatari jet outfitted with secure communications and other necessary modifications. However, a former U.S. official told the Associated Press the plane would still fall short of current Air Force One capabilities and lack air-to-air refueling — a feature also missing from the upcoming VC-25B replacements.
“This gift is unprecedented,” said Jordan Libowitz, spokesperson for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. “The totality of gifts given to a president over their term doesn’t get close to this level.” He questioned whether such gifts could impact Trump’s foreign policy decisions, especially in the Middle East.