President Donald Trump is facing bipartisan scrutiny after reports revealed that Qatar’s royal family has offered the U.S. government a $400 million Boeing 747-8 luxury jet. The aircraft is intended for temporary use as Air Force One and later for Trump’s presidential library, creating ethical, legal, and security concerns among lawmakers and the public.
Trump defended the offer, stating on Truth Social, “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.” He added, “I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer.”
Timeline of the Trump–Qatar 747 Jet Deal:
Early February 2025: President Trump inspected a Qatari-owned Boeing 747-8 at West Palm Beach International Airport in Florida. The aircraft, initially outfitted for the Qatari royal family, was described as having a luxurious “palace in the sky” interior.
March–April 2025: Negotiations began between Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense. Legal reviews were conducted by White House counsel and the Department of Justice to determine if accepting the plane as a gift would comply with the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause.
Early May 2025: News of the proposed deal became public. Both Trump supporters and critics expressed concerns, focusing not only on legality but also on the optics and political implications of accepting an opulent gift from a Gulf state with connections to groups like Hamas.
Ongoing (mid-May 2025): As of May 16, legal clearance is still under review. Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense continue to consider the transfer, with legal teams from both sides examining the proposal. If approved, the aircraft will be modified for U.S. presidential use before becoming operational.
Critics argue that accepting such a gift from a foreign government may violate the U.S. Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting presents from foreign states without congressional approval.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced he would block all Justice Department nominations until the administration provides more information about the deal, stressing the need for transparency and adherence to constitutional provisions.
Republican lawmakers have also expressed concerns. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri remarked, “I prefer a big, beautiful plane built in the United States, made in America, bought in America.” Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky warned against the appearance of impropriety.
Security experts have raised concerns about the potential risks of retrofitting a foreign aircraft for presidential use. Richard Aboulafia, managing director of AeroDynamic Advisory, noted that converting the jet to meet Air Force One standards would be a significant project, potentially costing up to $1 billion and taking several years, requiring extensive modifications to ensure secure communications and defense capabilities.
Public response has been mixed, with some of Trump’s supporters expressing disappointment. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro criticized the decision, stating, “Taking sacks of goodies from people who support Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, Al Jazeera, all the rest—that is not America first.”
Activist Laura Loomer described the gift as “concerning” and suggested it could complicate foreign policy decisions.
Despite the backlash, Trump remains firm in his decision. Speaking to reporters, he compared the offer to historic gifts like the Statue of Liberty, asserting that it could save U.S. taxpayers money. The administration claims the process is legal and transparent, with the plane’s legal status under review by U.S. and Qatari legal teams.
The Boeing 747-8 jet offered to President Donald Trump by Qatar’s royal family was delivered to Qatar Amiri Flight in April 2012 and used by the House of Thani. In June 2023, it was transferred to Global Jet Isle of Man.
Following Trump’s inspection at the West Palm Beach airport, the jet returned to Doha, Qatar. By May 2025, reports indicated that the U.S. federal government had commissioned L3Harris to modify the aircraft at San Antonio International Airport in Texas, although the Air Force had not yet acquired the plane at that time.
As the controversy develops, lawmakers from both parties continue to scrutinize the proposed gift, emphasizing the importance of upholding constitutional principles and ensuring national security.
