Trump administration considers accepting Qatari gift of $400 million aircraft to serve as temporary Air Force One

The motorcade of U.S. President Donald Trump is parked next to a 12-year old Qatari-owned Boeing 747-8 that Trump was touring in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 15, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File

WASHINGTON/RIYADH, May 13 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The administration of U.S. President Donald J. Trump is considering accepting a Boeing 747-8 aircraft from the Qatari royal family as a temporary replacement for Air Force One, a White House official said, in what would be one of the most valuable gifts ever received by the U.S. government.

The aircraft, valued at approximately $400 million, would reportedly be transferred to Trump’s presidential library after his term ends. The plane, according to officials, would not be presented or accepted during Trump’s scheduled visit to Qatar later this week.

Trump appeared to confirm the proposal on his social media platform Truth Social, describing the donation as a “FREE” and “transparent” solution to delays in Boeing’s delivery of the official Air Force One replacement jets, initially slated for 2024 but now estimated for 2027.

“I mean, I could be a stupid person saying, ‘No, we don’t want a free, very expensive airplane,’” Trump told reporters before departing for the Middle East.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and good governance organizations, who argue it could violate constitutional provisions barring federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer posted on X: “Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar.” A spokesperson from the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics said the offer may present a conflict of interest and raise national security concerns.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded that any gift would be accepted “in full compliance with all applicable laws,” and that lawyers from the White House Counsel’s Office and Department of Justice had reviewed the matter. ABC News first reported the planned transfer on Sunday.

Qatari government spokesperson Ali Al-Ansari said the offer was still under discussion between Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense and that “no decision has been made.”

Elon Musk, a senior adviser to the president and head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, toured the aircraft earlier this year at Palm Beach International Airport. Trump cited the visit as a step toward understanding its suitability as a temporary Air Force One platform.

The proposal comes amid Trump’s diplomatic trip to the Middle East, which includes visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.