President Donald Trump has officially accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar, allowing it to be reconfigured as Air Force One, according to the Pentagon.
Sean Parnell confirmed to Fox News, “The Secretary of Defense has accepted the Boeing 747 from Qatar, adhering to all federal rules and regulations. The Department of Defense will work to ensure that relevant security measures and functional requirements are carefully evaluated for the aircraft used to transport the US President. Additional details will be provided by the US Air Force.”
This announcement raised concerns among lawmakers, who were apprehensive about foreign planes serving as mobile offices with elevated security risks, as well as the potential implications of accepting such a gift from Qatar.
Senator Ted Cruz, a supporter of Trump and Republican from Texas, expressed worries about “critical espionage and surveillance issues” tied to the aircraft, while more progressive voices like Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont remarked, “Trump should not accept a $400 million aircraft from Qatar’s royal family.”
“In my view, Qatar isn’t a reliable ally. They support Hamas, and that raises security questions regarding the president,” noted Senator Rick Scott from Florida when speaking to reporters last week.
In response to these criticisms, Trump stated, “It annoys the bent Democrats that the Pentagon is reallocating 747 aircraft at no cost to replace the aging Air Force One in a very transparent manner. Everyone could do it! The Democrats are a world-class failure!!! Maga.”
Back in 2018, Trump awarded Boeing a $3.9 billion fixed-price contract to build two new jets after initial negotiations over costs. These jets were expected to be delivered by 2024, but the project now faces delays of about five years, with costs ballooning to $2.5 billion.
This is a breaking news story. Please check for updates.
