Trump set to accept luxury ‘flying palace’ as gift from Qatar’s royal family: Report
The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to receive a high-end Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from Qatar’s royal family as a gift to serve as Air Force One.
The aircraft gift was initially anticipated to be revealed during Trump’s upcoming Qatar visit – his first overseas trip of the second term, sources familiar with the plans told ABC news. However, a high-ranking White House representative clarified that the plane will neither be presented nor formally gifted during this week’s presidential visit.
Trump acknowledged his administration’s plans to acquire the jet, characterizing the deal as a “very public and transparent transaction” coordinated through the Defense Department.
A source familiar with the matter reported that Trump privately refers to the likely gift from the Qatari government as “one of my new big, beautiful planes.”
Should the agreement be finalized, this would mark the most valuable foreign government gift ever presented to the United States. Trump personally inspected the aircraft during its stop at West Palm Beach International Airport last February.
This unprecedented agreement is certain to spark legal concerns regarding the Trump presidential library foundation’s acceptance of such an exceptionally valuable gift from a foreign government.
Legal teams from both the White House Counsel’s Office and the Justice Department conducted a joint review for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, ultimately determining that the proposed aircraft transfer complies with all legal requirements.
Their analysis claimed that the Defense Department can properly accept the plane as a foreign gift without running afoul of federal bribery laws or constitutional restrictions. Specifically, they concluded this arrangement doesn’t violate the Emoluments Clause, which prohibits US officials from accepting gifts from “from any King, Prince or foreign State.”
However, democratic Senator Chuck Schumer said via social media, “Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar. It’s not just bribery, it’s premium foreign influence with extra legroom.”
Trump appears to be cultivating increasingly close ties with Qatar’s leadership. Just weeks ago, the Trump Organization revealed plans to develop a new golf course in Qatar through a partnership with Qatari Diar – the real estate arm of the nation’s sovereign wealth fund.
