US President Donald Trump has defended his plans to accept a new Air Force One as a gift, following reports that he will receive a luxury Boeing jet from Qatar despite strict regulations on gifts for US presidents.
Describing the plane as a “flying palace”, ABC News, which initially reported the story, indicated that the Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet gifted by the Qatari royal family could become the most expensive gift ever received by the US government.
The controversy surrounding the jet—and Mr. Trump’s claim that it is coming “free of charge”—has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest involving his family businesses and the use of public office.
In a social media post late yesterday, which did not mention Qatar, Mr. Trump asserted that the plane is a temporary “gift” intended for the Defence Department and would replace an existing four-decade-old model.
Qatar quickly attempted to mitigate the backlash, asserting that reports framing the jet as a gift “are inaccurate”.
Acceptance of the gift raises ethical and legal questions
“The possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is currently under consideration between Qatar’s Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defence,” stated Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar’s media attache in Washington, emphasizing that no decision has been made.
The US constitution prohibits government officials from accepting gifts “from any King, Prince or foreign State,” under a clause known as the emoluments clause.
However, Mr. Trump could bypass the law by donating the jet to his presidential library after leaving office.
This plan is expected to be announced while Mr. Trump visits three Middle Eastern countries this week, including Qatar, according to reports from ABC and The New York Times.
The acceptance of this gift has sparked ethical concerns across the political spectrum, suggesting it contradicts laws designed to curb government corruption.
Nevertheless, sources informed ABC that the White House and Department of Justice consider the gift legal and not a bribe since it is not being offered in exchange for any specific favor or action.
They also contend it is not unconstitutional because it will first be transferred to the US Air Force before ultimately going to the presidential library, thus never being given to an individual.
The Air Force One jets comprise two highly customized Boeing 747-200B series aircraft.
The Democratic National Committee stated that this situation exemplifies Mr. Trump using the White House for personal financial benefit.
“As working families face rising costs and shortages, Trump continues to focus on enriching himself and his billionaire supporters,” the DNC wrote in an email to supporters.
Several Democratic politicians criticized the plan.
Senator Chris Murphy labeled it “wildly illegal,” while Representative Kelly Morrison described the gift as “corruption in plain sight” and an unethical, unconstitutional “bribe”.
The US president has long been dissatisfied with the current Air Force One jets, which are two highly customized Boeing 747-200B series aircraft.
Earlier this year, Mr. Trump mentioned that his administration was “looking at alternatives” to Boeing due to delays in the delivery of two new models.
The aerospace giant agreed in 2018 to deliver two 747-8 aircraft by the end of 2024 for $3.9 billion—both prepared to transport whoever occupies the White House at that time.
However, a subcontractor’s bankruptcy and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted production, leading Boeing to postpone delivery to 2027 and 2028.
Though the aircraft being offered by the Qataris is reportedly over 10 years old, experts noted that a new Boeing 747-8 costs around $400 million.
The aircraft must also undergo extensive communications and security upgrades before it can be designated as Air Force One.
