The Trump administration is preparing to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet from Qatar as a gift, to be used as Air Force One until Trump’s presidency ends. Legal analyses suggest the arrangement complies with U.S. law. The jet bears an estimated value of $400 million and will transition to the Trump presidential library foundation post-administration, necessitating modifications for military standards.
In a move that’s raising eyebrows, the Trump administration is reportedly gearing up to accept a lavish gift from Qatar: a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet. Sources suggest that this opulent aircraft, often referred to as a “flying palace,” will temporarily serve as Air Force One during President Trump’s remaining tenure, before eventually being transferred to his presidential library foundation. The announcement is set to be made next week, coinciding with Trump’s upcoming trip to Qatar — his first foreign visit in the second term.
This proposed arrangement has an air of exclusivity, as it’s possibly the most expensive gift from a foreign nation to the United States ever. The jet, which Trump inspected at the West Palm Beach Airport back in February, is expected to be a stunning addition to the presidential fleet. However, the acceptance of such a valuable aircraft is stirring up legal questions about whether it complies with U.S. laws regarding foreign gifts, particularly the emoluments clause.
To address these concerns, it’s reported that legal experts from the White House and the Department of Justice have drafted opinions to support the legality of this transaction. They believe it’s acceptable for the Department of Defense to receive the jet as a donation, as it will later be bestowed upon the Trump presidential library foundation, thus sidestepping any potential implications of bribery or unconstitutional gifts.
Attorney General Pam Bondi along with Trump’s chief counsel David Warrington reportedly concluded that linking the donation of the aircraft to its future ownership by the library is lawful. Bondi had even penned a legal memorandum for the White House counsel last week which underscores their legal reasoning. As expected, requests for comments from the White House and DOJ went unanswered, and inquiries to the Qatari embassy yielded no response either.
The aircraft will first be transferred to the U.S. Air Force, where it will undergo modifications to align with military specifications for presidential use. Notably, its total flight history is only about 13 years, so it is essentially a prime choice for the Air Force’s fleet. Financial aspects surrounding its transfer will be underwritten by the U.S. Air Force, ensuring the foundation won’t bear costs with the handoff by January 1, 2029.
Experts estimate the jet’s value at around $400 million, though this doesn’t factor in the additional communications tech that the Air Force will add to keep the president secure while airborne. The aviation firm L3Harris has reportedly been contracted to spearhead the modifications, ensuring that the presidential jet meets all necessary benchmarks.
Crucially, both legal entities concluded that since this donation is not linked to any official governmental action, it does not amount to bribery, nor does it contravene constitutional laws regarding foreign gifts. The legal analysis reaffirms that this donation is made to the Air Force, therefore detaching it from personal ties to any individual.
Meanwhile, the current Air Force One fleet is getting long in the tooth, with its two Boeing 747-200 jets dating back to 1990. A contract signed in 2018 to replace them has been bogged down with delays, with the newest jets not expected to be ready until 2029 — long after Trump is set to leave office. Frustrated with the timeline, Trump sought the help of tech titan Elon Musk to facilitate faster production, which has yielded some progress; Boeing has announced a potential delivery as early as 2027. Regardless, Trump is eager for a new jet and reportedly wants it this year.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
