🇺🇸 U.S. Accepts Qatar’s Luxury Boeing Jet for Potential Air Force One Conversion
The Pentagon has officially accepted a luxury Boeing 747 aircraft from the Qatari government, with plans to evaluate its potential use as a future Air Force One.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved the transfer in accordance with federal regulations, according to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell on May 21. “The Department is taking all necessary steps to ensure appropriate security measures and will assess the aircraft’s suitability for presidential missions,” he said.
U.S. media previously reported that Qatar’s royal family intended to gift the Trump administration a lavish Boeing 747-8, often described as a "flying palace." If confirmed, it would be one of the most expensive gifts ever received by the U.S. government. A new Boeing 747-8 typically costs around $400 million, though a pre-owned version may fetch only a quarter of that price.
The U.S. Air Force has been directed to begin preparing a modification plan. “Any civilian aircraft would require significant retrofitting. We’re committed to doing what’s needed to ensure its security,” said Air Force Secretary Troy Meink during a Senate hearing on May 20. The Pentagon has not disclosed the projected cost or timeline for the conversion.
The move has triggered backlash and raised legal concerns, as the U.S. Constitution prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval. Security implications have also drawn scrutiny, especially regarding the use of a foreign aircraft as the President’s official plane.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called the decision “a dark day in American history,” accusing the President of accepting the “largest bribe ever” from a foreign government. “This unprecedented action stains the office of the presidency,” Schumer said.
Earlier this week, Schumer introduced legislation to block the Pentagon from using taxpayer dollars to refurbish any aircraft previously owned by a foreign government for presidential use.
Some Republican lawmakers have also expressed unease about the aircraft gift. However, Senate Minority Leader John Thune—a Trump ally—is not obligated to bring Schumer’s proposal to a floor vote. Still, Schumer plans to force a vote by attaching the measure as an amendment to a must-pass GOP-led spending bill later this year.
Democratic Senators Mazie Hirono and Tammy Duckworth warned on May 20 that the conversion could cost over $1 billion and pose serious national security risks. Duckworth noted that the U.S. already has two operational Air Force One aircraft and does not need Qatar’s jet.
Former President Trump, meanwhile, defended the decision last week, saying, “Only a fool would turn down a plane like that.” Qatar’s Prime Minister clarified that the aircraft was not a personal gift to Trump but part of a government-to-government transaction.
The current Air Force One fleet includes two Boeing VC-25As introduced in 1990 during the George H.W. Bush administration. Trump has long voiced dissatisfaction with the aging fleet and previously suggested exploring replacements due to delays in Boeing’s delivery of new jets.
In 2018, Boeing secured a $3.9 billion contract to build two VC-25B aircraft based on the 747-8I model to succeed the VC-25As. Originally slated for delivery in December 2024, the project has since been delayed until at least 2027 or 2028, with costs ballooning due to supply chain issues and the complexity of retrofitting the aircraft to meet presidential standards.
(Sources: AFP, Reuters)
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