Trump Administration Will Accept Luxury Plane From QatarHeres What We Know

Published: Sunday, May 11, 2025 at 7:41 pm

Trump Administration to Receive Luxury Plane Gift from Qatar, Raising Legal Questions

The Trump administration is reportedly set to accept a Boeing 747-8 luxury plane as a gift from the Qatari royal family, intended for use as Air Force One and later donated to President Donald Trump's presidential library. This unprecedented gift, potentially one of the largest foreign donations ever received by the U.S. government, is expected to be formally announced during Trump's upcoming visit to Qatar.

The plane, valued at approximately $400 million, will be gifted from the Qatari Ministry of Defense to the Pentagon. The Pentagon will then modify the aircraft to meet Air Force One's stringent safety standards. Upon the end of Trump's term, the plane will be donated to his presidential library, allowing him to potentially use it as a private citizen.

This arrangement raises legal questions concerning the foreign emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution, which restricts the acceptance of gifts from foreign entities. However, sources suggest the administration has already determined the donation is permissible, with Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly issuing a legal memo supporting the legality of the gift.

The current Air Force One fleet consists of specially configured Boeing 747-200Bs. The new plane, a Boeing 747-8, would require extensive retrofitting to meet Air Force One specifications, a process that could take years. Trump had previously toured the plane, expressing interest in it as a potential new Air Force One, and has voiced frustration over delays in the existing Air Force One replacement program.

Keywords: Trump, Air Force One, Qatar, Boeing 747-8, gift, presidential library, foreign emoluments clause, legal, donation, plane, Donald Trump, Qatari royal family, Pentagon, luxury plane, government, politics, news

Full Story