Despite assurances from the U.S. Defense Department, legal representatives for both the U.S. and Qatari governments have yet to finalize an agreement regarding the Boeing 747-8 jetliner that President Donald Trump intends to use as Air Force One. Sources familiar with the situation indicate that Qatar is demanding clarity on the terms of the transaction before moving forward, particularly concerning the origins of the aircraft transfer.
Officials reveal that Qatar insists the memorandum of understanding explicitly states that the transfer of the aircraft was initiated by the Trump administration. Furthermore, they want to ensure that Qatar will not be held liable for any future ownership transfers of the plane. These stipulations reflect ongoing concerns regarding legal liabilities that stem from the White House’s attempt to change the nature of the transaction from a sale to a "gift," which Trump has frequently highlighted as a significant achievement from his recent Middle Eastern trip.
In a statement made in the Oval Office, Trump expressed pride in acquiring the aircraft, stating, “I got a beautiful big magnificent free airplane for the United States Air Force.” While the legal aspects are still under review, insiders suggest that these clarifications are unlikely to derail the overall deal but may subject the administration's claims about the deal’s genesis to additional scrutiny.
Initially, Trump claimed that Qatar voluntarily offered the luxury jet as a gift. However, sources indicate that it was actually the Trump administration that first approached Qatar earlier this year regarding the acquisition of the aircraft after Trump expressed dissatisfaction with delays concerning two other Boeing jets purchased during his first term for $3.9 billion. Discussions progressed, leading to Qatar’s eventual agreement to provide the jet as a gift, a development previously reported by major news outlets such as CNN and The New York Times.
According to a White House official who requested anonymity, the specifics of the aircraft transfer are still being finalized. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly confirmed that there is no doubt the plane will be provided to the United States free of charge, emphasizing that it will be a "sovereign-to-sovereign gift to the U.S. Air Force."
In recent weeks, the proposed luxury jet arrangement has drawn significant criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) and a coalition of Democrats have introduced legislation aimed at blocking $1.9 billion in arms sales to Doha, contingent upon the rescission of the jet offer. Murphy characterized the arrangement as an “illegal bribe,” calling it unconstitutional and not in line with proper foreign policy practices.
Additionally, House Democrats, spearheaded by Representative Gregory W. Meeks (D-New York), have proposed their own legislation to prevent federal funds from being utilized to facilitate the transfer of a foreign aircraft to the U.S. government or Trump’s future presidential library, as previously suggested by administration officials. Democrats have expressed particular outrage regarding plans to transfer the jet, which has been appraised at approximately $180 million, to Trump’s presidential library.
In response to concerns about the jet, Trump remarked that critics were mistaken, asserting that the aircraft is too large for personal use. “They tried to say, ‘Oh, it’s Trump’s airplane,’” he said, adding, “It’s frankly, it’s too big. Much too big.” White House Counsel David Warrington previously indicated in a memo that the Defense Department could accept the aircraft in two phases: first to the U.S. government and later to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation after Trump leaves office.
Despite earlier statements from Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell indicating that the Defense Secretary had accepted the aircraft in compliance with federal rules, the last communication between legal teams occurred on May 9, and deliberations are still ongoing. The Defense Department has declined to comment further on the matter.
Trump’s commitment to finalizing the jet transfer has been evident since he toured the aircraft on February 15 at Palm Beach International Airport, where he expressed admiration for its interior. Sources indicate that Trump found the plane significantly more modern and spacious than the existing Air Force One jets, appreciating the additional workstations available for himself and his aides.
Despite ongoing scrutiny, the Trump administration remains undeterred by the controversy surrounding the aircraft deal. The administration has enlisted defense contractor L3Harris to retrofit the Qatari plane, ensuring it meets the stringent safety and security standards required for presidential transport. This work is set to take place in Texas.
Upon inspection, Air Force officials deemed the aircraft to be “very poorly maintained” and estimated that it would require millions of dollars in repairs just to reach acceptable maintenance standards. Initially, the Air Force projected that the cost to bring the aircraft up to standard could reach $1.5 billion. Further estimates suggested that converting it for civilian use after Trump’s presidency could result in an additional $500 million in costs.
Former U.S. officials have noted that these estimates might change, as the president has the authority to waive certain requirements. “If the president said, ‘I want this in a year and a half, and I don’t care what capabilities it has as long as it’s a luxury flying palace with my colors on it,’” former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall explained, “then it can be done.” However, this would require certain security standards to be overlooked, which is within the president’s purview as the Commander in Chief.
