The Trump administration is considering accepting a luxurious Boeing 747-8 aircraft worth approximately $400 million from Qatar’s royal family to serve as a temporary Air Force One. This proposal has sparked controversy, with critics arguing it may violate the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause.
The Proposed Gift
The aircraft, owned by Qatar and dubbed the “world’s most luxurious private jet,” features ultra-luxurious interiors, including gold-colored walls, plush carpeting, leather couches, a spacious master bedroom, and multiple lounges. According to sources, the plane would be transferred to Trump’s presidential library foundation after his departure from office.
Trump’s Response
President Trump defended the proposal, stating it’s a cost-saving measure and criticized Democrats for opposing it. “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 on Truth Social.
Criticism and Concerns
Democratic lawmakers and ethics organizations have raised concerns about the gift’s implications. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called it “foreign influence with extra legroom.” Critics argue that accepting such a gift from a foreign government may violate the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which prohibits US officials from accepting gifts from foreign states without congressional approval.
White House Response
The White House emphasized that any foreign gift would be processed in accordance with legal requirements. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated the administration is “committed to full transparency.” Qatari government spokesperson Ali Al-Ansari confirmed ongoing discussions between Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense but stressed that no final decision has been reached.
Background
The proposal emerged due to delays in delivering two new Boeing 747-8 aircraft commissioned during Trump’s first term to serve as updated Air Force One planes. Delivery has been postponed until at least 2027, prompting the administration to explore interim solutions. Trump toured the Qatari aircraft earlier this year in West Palm Beach, Florida, and sources indicate that legal analyses have been prepared affirming the constitutionality of the proposed arrangement.