In what may be the most extravagant foreign gift ever offered to a U.S. president, the Trump administration is preparing to accept a lavishly outfitted Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the royal family of Qatar. Described by insiders as a “palace in the sky,” the aircraft—estimated to be worth over $400 million—has been offered for use as the next Air Force One.
Sources told ABC News that the aircraft will serve as President Donald Trump’s official plane during his second term, with ownership eventually passing to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation after his departure from office. The jet was reportedly toured by Trump in February while parked at West Palm Beach International Airport.
The announcement is expected during Trump’s upcoming visit to Qatar, his first international trip of the term. The aircraft is set to be retrofitted to meet U.S. military specifications before being put into official use.
Constitutional Hurdles and Legal Clearance
The highly unusual nature of the gift has raised red flags among constitutional scholars and political analysts. The Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution prohibits government officials from accepting gifts from foreign states without congressional approval. To pre-empt controversy, lawyers for the White House and Department of Justice reportedly worked with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to ensure the arrangement’s legality.
According to legal documents obtained by ABC News, Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House lawyer David Warrington concluded that the gift is permissible only if ownership is transferred to the Air Force first—and then later to Trump’s presidential library before January 1, 2029.
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Both the White House and DOJ agree that because the gift is not tied to any official act, it does not constitute bribery or a violation of the emoluments clause. The aircraft is considered a donation to a federal institution, not a personal benefit for the president.
Air Force Overhaul and Boeing’s Delays
Currently, the U.S. Air Force operates two Boeing 747-200s that have served as Air Force One since 1990. A replacement order with Boeing, signed in 2018, has been plagued by cost overruns and delays—prompting Trump’s growing frustration. Despite efforts to expedite delivery, the aircraft isn’t expected to be operational until 2029.
To bridge this gap, the Qatari gift appears to serve as a timely stopgap. The plane will be handed over to the U.S. Air Force for modifications, including secure communications and defense-grade equipment. Aviation contractor L3Harris has reportedly been tasked with the overhaul.
Trump, dissatisfied with delays, has also directed Elon Musk to consult with Boeing and the Air Force to accelerate the process. The most recent internal estimate places delivery in 2027, but Trump is said to want the new aircraft operational before the end of 2025.
As diplomatic traditions, aviation politics, and constitutional boundaries collide, the gift of a royal aircraft from Qatar to the Trump administration may go down as one of the most symbolically and legally complex gestures in U.S. presidential history. While legal green lights have been secured, questions around precedent, propriety, and optics remain up in the air.