Qatar offers Trump jumbo jet to serve as Air Force One
Context:
The Qatari royal family has proposed donating a Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to the U.S. Department of Defense for use as Air Force One, but the offer has not yet been accepted. President Trump, frustrated with Boeing's delays on the new Air Force One planes, reportedly toured the offered jet, which is opulently outfitted and known as a 'flying palace'. The White House has stated that any gift from a foreign government will be handled with full legal compliance and transparency. The legality of accepting such a gift is under review by the White House counsel's office and the Department of Justice. The current Air Force One fleet was contracted to Boeing for a $3.9 billion upgrade, expected to be completed by 2029, while Trump uses his private 757 jet when not in office.
Dive Deeper:
Qatar's royal family has offered a Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to serve as Air Force One, but the White House has not accepted the offer yet. The offer comes amid President Trump’s frustration with Boeing’s delays in delivering new presidential planes.
The proposed jet is known for its opulent features, earning the nickname 'a flying palace'. President Trump had previously toured the aircraft in Florida, and the offer has been confirmed by Trump in his Truth Social post.
The White House has emphasized that any gifts from foreign governments will be accepted in compliance with applicable laws, reflecting the administration’s commitment to transparency. However, the acceptance of such a high-value gift is subject to legal scrutiny.
The legal review involves both the White House counsel's office and the Department of Justice to ensure the proper handling of the gift offer. Discussions have not ruled out the potential acceptance of the aircraft at a later time.
Currently, the Air Force One fleet is undergoing a $3.9 billion update by Boeing, with new jets not expected until 2029. President Trump had negotiated this deal in 2018 to provide a cost-effective solution for American taxpayers, while he continues to use his private Boeing 757 for travel.