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The Trump administration is poised to accept what could be the most valuable foreign gift ever received by the U.S. government—a luxurious Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from Qatar's royal family valued at approximately $400 million.
According to multiple reports, the opulently appointed aircraft—described by some as a "flying palace"—will serve as the new Air Force One during President Trump's current term before being transferred to his presidential library foundation upon leaving office. The Justice Department and White House counsel have reportedly approved the arrangement, determining it complies with legal requirements despite raising significant ethical concerns.
The gift addresses Trump's growing frustration with Boeing's delays in delivering two previously ordered presidential aircraft. During a February visit to Palm Beach International Airport, Trump personally toured the 13-year-old private Qatari jet, which the Wall Street Journal reports will now be refurbished by defense contractor L3Harris.
"The president has made it no secret that he is tired of waiting for Boeing to produce a new Air Force One," said a source familiar with the negotiations who requested anonymity. "This alternative solution fulfills his desire for an immediate upgrade while avoiding further delays."
The arrangement has triggered alarm among ethics watchdogs concerning potential violations of the Constitution's emoluments clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval. Legal analysis from the Justice Department and White House counsel reportedly concluded the arrangement is permissible since the aircraft will technically be donated to the Air Force before later transferring to Trump's presidential library foundation.
Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House lawyer David Warrington determined the donation would be "legally permissible" provided ownership transfers to the presidential library rather than to Trump personally, according to sources close to the decision.
Any presidential aircraft must meet stringent military specifications, requiring extensive modifications before deployment. The Air Force will initially receive the plane for security upgrades including communications systems and defensive technology, though it reportedly will not have the air-to-air refueling capabilities of the current presidential aircraft.
The timing of this announcement coincides with Trump's upcoming first official foreign trip of his second term, which includes visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates—all nations where the Trump Organization maintains significant business interests.The gift's exceptional value and the circumstances surrounding it have prompted significant criticism. Democratic legislators including Senator Adam Schiff have characterized it as a "brazen" violation of constitutional prohibitions against foreign gifts, while Representative Jamie Raskin emphasized that the Constitution requires congressional permission for such arrangements.
This development comes amid Boeing's continuing struggles to deliver the officially contracted Air Force One replacements. Despite Trump's efforts to expedite production—including enlisting Elon Musk to assist—the aircraft manufacturer now estimates delivery no earlier than 2027, with some projections extending to 2029.
