The Trump administration plans to accept a Boeing 747-8 aircraft—gifted by the Qatari royal family—as a temporary replacement for Air Force One. The luxury jet, valued at approximately $400 million, is among the most extravagant gifts ever received by the U.S. government and is expected to be donated to the Trump Presidential Library after Donald Trump leaves office.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump confirmed the deal saying, “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.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “Any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws. President Trump’s administration is committed to full transparency.” She also added in a recent interview with Fox News, “The Qatari Government has graciously offered to donate a plane to the Department of Defense. The legal details of that are still being worked out.”
Trump toured the aircraft—dubbed “a flying palace” due to its opulent interiors—when it was parked at West Palm Beach International Airport in February. According to ABC News, the 13-year-old plane will first be transferred to the U.S. Air Force, which will retrofit it to meet the strict specifications required for presidential transport. It will then be handed over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by January 1, 2029, with the U.S. Air Force covering all transfer-related expenses.
Why the lavish gift is stirring controversy?
The U.S. Constitution prohibits government officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval. According to ABC News, both the White House and the Department of Justice argue the arrangement is legal, emphasising that the offer is not tied to any favour or action. Since the jet would first be transferred to the U.S. Air Force and eventually handed over to the Trump Presidential Library—not to Trump personally—it would not violate constitutional provisions. The Qatari government, meanwhile, has distanced itself from the characterisation of the plane as a “gift,” calling such reports inaccurate.
Trump has long expressed dissatisfaction with the current Air Force One fleet—two heavily customised Boeing 747-200B aircraft that have been in service since the 1990s. Despite their advanced communication systems and missile defense technology, Trump views them as outdated. During his first term, he commissioned two new Boeing 747-8 aircraft to modernise the fleet, but production delays and rising costs have cast doubt on whether even one will be ready by 2029, when Trump’s current term is set to end. The brand-new Boeing 747-8 is estimated to cost around $400 million, making the Qatar jet a potentially significant, yet controversial, stopgap solution.
“How is this not impeachable?”
Internet swiftly reacted to this announcement. A user wrote, “How is this not impeachable? Where are Democrat leaders?.” Another noted, “This jet “gift” from Qatar reeks of corruption, Trump’s using it as Air Force One, then keeping it for his library. It’s a clear violation of the Emoluments Clause, trading favors for luxury. He’s selling out America, again.” Meanwhile, a user claimed, “It is likely the most blatant example of bribery in modern presidential history.” “What is Qatar getting in return?,” asked a user. Echoing the sentiment, another stated, “This move definitely raises eyebrows. The optics of a foreign gift, especially one as extravagant as a Boeing 747-8, cannot be ignored, particularly given Trump’s ties to Qatar. While the legal team may argue it’s within guidelines, the potential for perceived conflicts of interest is huge. It’s crucial that transparency remains high, especially in matters involving foreign governments. This could fuel concerns over influence and ethics during his presidency.”