Trump administration poised to accept ‘palace in the sky’ as a gift for Trump from Qatar: Sources
The United States is set to receive an extraordinary gift from the royal family of Qatar – a super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet that will serve as the new Air Force One for President Donald Trump. This unprecedented gesture is expected to be announced during Trump’s upcoming visit to Qatar, marking a historic moment in diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The opulent aircraft, dubbed “a flying palace,” caught the president’s eye during a visit to the West Palm Beach International Airport earlier this year. The Qatar royal family’s generous offer raises legal questions about accepting such a valuable gift from a foreign government. However, sources familiar with the arrangement assure that the Department of Defense has deemed it legal for the U.S. to accept the aircraft and later transfer ownership to the Trump presidential library foundation.
Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House lawyer David Warrington have provided legal analysis supporting the legality of the donation, ensuring that it complies with bribery laws and the Constitution’s emoluments clause. The aircraft will undergo modifications by the United States Air Force to meet the stringent security requirements for presidential transport before being handed over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.
The estimated value of the aircraft exceeds $400 million, and additional security equipment will be installed to enhance its capabilities as Air Force One. L3Harris, an aviation company, has been tasked with overhauling the plane to meet the specifications of a presidential jet. This gift comes as a timely solution to the delays and cost overruns plaguing the replacement of the current Air Force One fleet, providing President Trump with a new plane before the end of his term.
The president’s frustration with the delays in the Air Force One replacement project led him to enlist the help of Elon Musk to expedite the process. While Boeing’s estimated delivery date for the new aircraft has been pushed to 2027, Trump remains adamant about having a new plane in service sooner. This generous gift from Qatar not only enhances the U.S. presidential fleet but also strengthens diplomatic ties between the two nations.
