President Trump is set to receive a Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet, often referred to as the “flying palace,” from the royal family of Qatar. Reports suggest he plans to utilize it as an official aircraft, at least temporarily. This highly luxurious jet is seen as a placeholder while Boeing finishes the new Air Force One fleet, which has faced numerous delays and budget issues over the years.
The jet, valued at around $400 million, might eventually be donated to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation as he transitions out. He commented on this to ABC News.
This week, Trump will be traveling to the Middle East for his second foreign trip during his current term, with stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
Authorities are anticipated to unveil new plans during Trump’s visit to Qatar.
In February, Trump had previously toured a similar lavish aircraft at West Palm Beach International Airport.
Recently, the Trump administration enlisted defense contractor L3Harris to assist with the conversion of the 747, which was formerly utilized by the Qatari royal family.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump aims to have the aircraft ready by the fall.
During his first term, Trump’s administration secured a $3.9 billion contract with Boeing in 2018 to create two new presidential aircraft as Air Force One. However, Boeing estimated that the project wouldn’t be finalized until 2029.
Currently, the US operates two older Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets for Air Force One, a designation that has been in use since the 1990s.
One of these jets must have advanced communication and defense systems in place to ensure the president’s safety, complicating and driving up costs of development.
Some military officials have suggested adding a third jet to the fleet to serve as a maintenance backup.
Trump has taken a personal interest in designing the color scheme for the new generation of Air Force One, reportedly expressing his satisfaction with various aspects of the aircraft’s design and often discussing how he managed to reduce costs.
However, the project has been plagued by setbacks and excessive spending.
Notably, Elon Musk was reportedly involved in the Trump administration’s discussions about the future of the next-generation Air Force One.
The administration is also preparing to address potential concerns regarding emoluments related to the Qatar jet.
According to ABC, the legal ramifications of accepting the “flying palace” are under evaluation.
The Constitution stipulates that individuals holding a position of public trust cannot accept gifts without congressional approval.
Attorney General Pam Bondi and senior White House attorney David Warrington have looked into this matter, concluding that the plan is indeed “legally acceptable,” as receiving the plane wouldn’t violate official law.
This post has reached out to both the White House and the Qatari Embassy for statements.
