WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to accept a luxurious Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet as a gift from the ruling family of Qatar during his upcoming trip to the Middle East next week. U.S. officials are considering converting this aircraft into a potential new presidential plane, similar to Air Force One.
According to a report by ABC News, Trump intends to utilize the Qatari aircraft as a new version of Air Force One until shortly before he leaves office in January 2029. At that point, ownership of the plane will be transferred to the foundation tasked with overseeing his future presidential library.
The announcement regarding this gift is expected to coincide with Trump's visit to Qatar, which is part of an extended foreign trip that includes stops in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This trip marks the first significant foreign travel of Trump’s second term. The Qatari government has not provided a comment on the matter as of Sunday night.
Administration officials have preemptively addressed potential concerns regarding the president accepting such a substantial gift from a foreign government. They have prepared an analysis that argues the legality of this situation. The Constitution's Emoluments Clause prohibits anyone holding government office from accepting gifts from foreign states without congressional approval, raising significant ethical questions.
Trump plans to modify the Qatari aircraft to include secure communications and other classified features. However, experts indicate that it will still possess more limited capabilities than the existing Air Force One planes. These existing aircraft include advanced survivability features such as radiation shielding and antimissile technology, along with sophisticated communications systems to ensure that the president can maintain contact with military forces globally.
While it would be feasible to install some countermeasures and communication systems to enhance the Qatari plane, a former U.S. official stated that it would ultimately be less capable than the current Air Force One models, which have been designed to meet high operational standards.
Air Force One is a modified Boeing 747, of which two planes exist and are over 30 years old. Boeing Inc. holds the contract to produce updated versions, but the timeline for delivery has been pushed to 2027 for the first new aircraft and 2028 for the second, coinciding with the final full year of Trump's term.
ABC reported that the newly gifted plane is akin to a 13-year-old Boeing model that Trump inspected in February at Palm Beach International Airport, while he was visiting his Mar-a-Lago club.
Additionally, Trump’s family business, the Trump Organization, which is now primarily managed by his sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, has extensive interests in the Middle East, including a recent deal to construct a luxury golf resort in Qatar in partnership with Qatari Diar, a real estate firm linked to the nation’s sovereign wealth fund.
The Qatari government, led by the Al Thani family, has sought to cultivate a close relationship with Trump since he seemingly supported a boycott of Qatar by four Arab nations during his first term. However, as Trump shifted his stance, he later praised Qatar for its cooperation.
Despite concerns over the intersection of Trump’s policy interests and his family's business endeavors, administration officials assert that Trump’s assets are held in a trust managed by his children. Furthermore, a voluntary ethics agreement from January prohibits the Trump Organization from engaging directly with foreign governments, although it allows for deals with private entities abroad, a shift from an earlier ethics commitment that barred both foreign government and company deals.
When pressed about a potential meeting between Trump and individuals connected to his family’s business during his upcoming trip, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed such suggestions as "ridiculous."
