Washington, DC, May 13 - In a move that has sparked intense debate, President Donald Trump has defended his administration’s decision to accept a Boeing 747-8i, valued at approximately $400 million, from the Qatari government for use as an interim Air Force One. The aircraft, previously operated by the Qatari royal family, is intended to serve as a temporary presidential transport until the delivery of two new Boeing 747-8s, which have faced significant delays and cost overruns. The decision, expected to be formalized during Trump’s Middle East visit in May 2025, has raised legal and ethical questions due to the plane’s immense value and its planned transfer to Trump’s presidential library foundation after his term ends in January 2029.
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Trump has framed the acceptance of the aircraft as a pragmatic and fiscally responsible choice, emphasizing that it comes at no cost to the U.S. government. He has expressed frustration with Boeing’s delayed Air Force One replacement program, originally slated for completion in 2022 but now projected for 2027 or later. The current Air Force One fleet, consisting of two modified Boeing 747-200Bs in service since 1990, is aging, and Trump has argued that the Qatari plane offers a modern, luxurious alternative to bridge the gap. The 13-year-old aircraft, described as a “flying palace” due to its lavish VVIP configuration, was toured by Trump in February 2025 at Palm Beach International Airport, near his Mar-a-Lago resort, highlighting his interest in its potential.
The arrangement involves the U.S. Air Force taking initial ownership of the plane, with modifications to equip it with secure communications and defense systems required for presidential travel. These upgrades, potentially costing millions, will be funded by the Air Force, and the plane is expected to serve as Air Force One until the new Boeing jets are ready. Afterward, ownership will transfer to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation, raising concerns about personal benefit. Critics argue this could violate the U.S. Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional consent. Democratic lawmakers have called for investigations, citing the unprecedented value of the gift and its potential to influence U.S. foreign policy, especially given Trump’s business interests in the Middle East.
The Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, has prepared a legal analysis asserting that the arrangement is permissible because the plane is gifted to the Defense Department, not Trump personally, and its eventual transfer to the library foundation complies with federal ethics rules. Qatar’s Ministry of Defense has described the deal as a government-to-government transaction still under review, denying that a final decision has been made. Despite these assurances, the plan has drawn scrutiny for its lack of transparency and the ethical implications of a foreign state providing such a valuable asset to a sitting president. Trump’s Middle East trip, including a stop in Qatar, is expected to shed further light on the agreement, which could set a precedent for how foreign gifts are handled in U.S. politics.