President Donald Trump is reportedly set to receive a luxury jet from the royal family of Qatar, which will be used as Air Force One, according to four sources familiar with the planning, who spoke with NBC News.
The aircraft, a Boeing 747-8, is slated to be transferred to Trump’s presidential library foundation once his second term in office concludes, two sources confirmed. The administration plans to retrofit the plane to meet the necessary specifications for its role in Trump’s official capacity as president.
This lavish gift is expected to raise questions about its legality, particularly from legal scholars and experts.
A new Boeing 747-800 typically costs around $400 million, based on 2019 data.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the situation, stating that “any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws.” She further emphasized the administration’s commitment to transparency.
The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
ABC News initially reported on the plans.
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Read moreThe announcement comes as Trump prepares for his first foreign trip of his second term, which will include a visit to Qatar. During his first term, Trump negotiated a deal to modernize two Boeing 747s as new Air Force One planes, but the project has faced major setbacks, with costs exceeding $2 billion and significant delays. The planes may not be ready until at least 2027.
Frustrated by these delays, Trump indicated earlier this year that he was considering alternatives. “We may buy a plane or get a plane, or something,” he said during a visit to a Qatari 747 at Florida’s Palm Beach International Airport in February.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg mentioned in January that the company is working with Elon Musk, a key Trump ally and CEO of DOGE lead, to expedite the delivery of the new planes.
Earlier this month, CNBC reported that the U.S. is collaborating with L3Harris Technologies to potentially modify a used Qatari Boeing 747 to serve as a new presidential plane.
