Breaking News: Trump Administration in Talks to Accept Temporary Air Force One From Qatar

The jet would be used during President Trump’s second term and later transferred to his presidential library, raising significant legal and ethical concerns.

Terrence Dorsey

May 12, 2025

Photo: Saul Loeb/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

Date: May 11, 2025
Topic: Trump Administration in Talks to Accept Luxury Jet From Qatar as Temporary Air Force One
Summary: The Trump administration is in discussions with Qatar over accepting a luxury Boeing 747-8 from the Qatari royal family as a temporary replacement for Air Force One. The jet would be used during President Trump’s second term and later transferred to his presidential library, raising significant legal and ethical concerns, particularly around the Constitution’s emoluments clause. While Trump and the White House claim the arrangement complies with U.S. law and has not yet been finalized, critics argue that the gift—valued at up to $400 million—constitutes foreign influence and sets a dangerous precedent. Legal reviews are ongoing, and both Qatari and U.S. officials maintain the deal is still under consideration.

Sources

Key Points

Trump administration confirms discussions with Qatar over receiving a Boeing 747-8 as a government-to-government gift, to be used temporarily as Air Force One.
The plane may later be transferred to Trump’s presidential library, potentially allowing continued personal use.
Legal and ethical scrutiny centers on potential violations of the Constitution’s emoluments clause, which prohibits foreign gifts without congressional consent.
Multiple sources confirm the plane toured by Trump earlier this year in Florida is the one under discussion.
The aircraft would be retrofitted by a U.S. contractor, possibly L3Harris, with secure presidential communications and defense systems.
Trump and aides cite frustration over Boeing’s delayed delivery of new Air Force One planes as motivation.

Unique Highlights

CNN quotes Secret Service and intelligence concerns, calling the gift a “security nightmare” due to surveillance risk and detailing NSA and CIA involvement in sweeping the plane.
NBC News reports that Attorney General Pam Bondi, previously a lobbyist for Qatar, approved the gift’s legality.
The New York Times adds that Elon Musk proposed accelerating Boeing’s delayed planes, and notes Qatari business ties to a Trump golf resort.
Fox News uniquely emphasizes that the Qatari jet is not being accepted during Trump’s upcoming trip, downplaying immediacy.
The Washington Post details the aircraft’s past tail number and Qatari government operations, and highlights Bondi’s prior lobbying history.
The Wall Street Journal provides background on Qatar’s long-term influence operations in Washington, including trips and lobbying.

Contrasting Details

The New York Times, CNN, and NBC News suggest the plane is likely to be used personally by Trump after office, while Fox News and The Wall Street Journal stress the government’s role in receiving the plane first.
The Washington Post and CNN quote Qatari officials saying no final decision has been made, slightly contradicting outlets like NBC News, which suggest Trump has already accepted the offer.
Fox News frames the gift positively as cost-saving, while The New York Times, CNN, and NBC News emphasize corruption concerns.
CNN and NBC News refer to bipartisan criticism, including figures like Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders, while Fox News focuses primarily on Trump’s defense of the move.

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