Trump poised to accept Qatar jet gift as Air Force One
3 minute readPublished: Sunday, May 11, 2025 at 5:56 pm
Trump Mulls Accepting Qatar Jet as Potential Air Force One Amidst Boeing Delays
President Donald Trump is reportedly considering accepting a Boeing 747-800 from Qatar, potentially to serve as a new Air Force One. This move comes as the project to modernize the existing Air Force One fleet, contracted with Boeing during his first term, faces significant delays and a ballooning budget.
The original deal with Boeing, a fixed-price contract, has already exceeded its budget by over $2 billion. The planes, intended to replace the current aging fleet, are now not expected to be completed until at least 2027. This has led to Trump expressing frustration and exploring alternative options.
The potential acquisition of a Qatari jet, a used Boeing 747-800, offers a possible solution to the delays. The cost of a new commercial Boeing 747-800 was approximately $400 million in 2019, though the price of a used plane would likely be lower. The U.S. government is reportedly working with L3Harris Technologies to modify the Qatari aircraft for presidential use.
Trump's interest in a Qatari jet was evident earlier this year when he toured a 747 at Florida's Palm Beach International Airport. He hinted at the possibility of acquiring a plane outside of the existing Boeing contract. The news of this potential deal comes as Trump is scheduled to travel to the Middle East this week, including a stop in Qatar, for his first foreign trip of his second term.
The White House and the Department of Justice have not yet commented on the reports.
BNN's Perspective: While the delays and cost overruns on the Boeing contract are concerning, accepting a gift of a plane from a foreign government raises ethical questions. It's crucial to ensure transparency and avoid any perception of undue influence. A thorough vetting process and public disclosure of the terms of any potential agreement are essential to maintain public trust.
Keywords: Donald Trump, Air Force One, Boeing, Qatar, Boeing 747-800, presidential plane, delays, budget overruns, Middle East, L3Harris Technologies, Elon Musk, Kelly Ortberg, used plane, foreign trip, White House, Department of Justice.