President Donald Trump plans to use the Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet as his new presidential plane amid delays on Boeing’s replacement of two aircraft that had been in service since the presidency of George W. Bush
The Qatari royal family is planning to gift Donald Trump a £300million “flying palace” which he’ll use as his presidential plane for the rest of his term. And after Trump’s presidency comes to an end, the lavish plane won’t fall into the hands of whoever sits in the White House next. Qatar plans to transfer the deeds into Trump’s presidential library foundation, ABC has reported.
This type of gift is unprecedented for a sitting US president, and was expected to be announced next week during Trump’s visit to Qatar. However, the White House is yet to formally accept the offer. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained that “any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws”.
“President Trump’s Administration is committed to full transparency,” Leavitt added. The administration has reportedly been expecting a backlash over the gift, with some officials investigating whether it’s even legal for Trump to accept.
Attorney General Pam Bondi is said to have looked into it and determined Trump can take it if he wishes because conditions were not attached to him doing so. Therefore, it will not constitute bribery.
By giving it to the US Air Force, and then on to the presidential library foundation, it would not fall foul of constitutional limits to foreign gifts, sources say.
As Qatar and the US become closer, the royal family is understood to have offered Trump the lavish Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet amid delays to Boeing’s production of two jets to replace the old Air Force planes that haven’t been changed since George W. Bush’s presidency.
The plane is fully decked out with lounges, dining rooms and beautiful suites that would rival a stately manor. Most rooms are kitted out with leather couches and gilded furnishings.
Tan and cream chairs, that can be remote-controlled for optimal comfort, line the conference room, while the plane’s corridors are lined with gold-coloured walls.
The plane’s interior was designed by French interior design firm Alberto Pinto Cabinet. The opulent aircraft was once listed for around $400million (£300million).
Taking to Truth Social late last night, Trump seemed to accept the gift. “So the fact that the Defense Department is getting a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40 year old Air Force One, temporarily, in a very public and transparent transaction, so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, TOP DOLLAR, for the plane,” he wrote.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said it was unethical, and likely unconstitutional, suggesting that it paved the way for “foreign influence”.
“Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar,” Schumer wrote on X. “It’s not just bribery, it’s premium foreign influence with extra legroom.”