The U.S. on Wednesday formally accepted a plane from the Qatari government that will be converted into Air Force One for the use of President Trump, a Department of Defense spokesperson confirmed.
“The secretary of defense has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar in accordance with all federal rules and regulations,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said.
“The Department of Defense will work to ensure proper security measures and functional-mission requirements are considered for an aircraft used to transport the president of the United States.”
The $400 million jet will require security modifications from the Air Force before Trump begins using it. Trump has expressed his desire to begin using it soon, although it remains unclear when the plane will be ready.
Trump sought a new plane for Air Force One after Boeing’s effort to build two new jets to serve as Air Force One suffered multiple delays. Boeing and the U.S. entered into a $3.9 billion contract in 2018 for the company to construct the new jets by 2024. Now, it appears Boeing might not finish the new planes until after Trump’s presidency.
“Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for FREE from a country that wants to reward us for a job well done,” Trump said on Truth Social last week as criticism of the gift mounted.
Republicans and Democrats alike have criticized Trump for accepting the plane given the national security risks and legal issues that come with it. Typically pro-Trump conservative commentators including Ben Shapiro and Laura Loomer have questioned the president’s decision to accept the plane, noting Qatar’s support for Hamas, a U.S. designated terrorist organization.
Some have also accused Trump of flagrant corruption in receiving the jet because of the possibility it turns into a gift to him personally, rather than the U.S. government. Trump has said he will retire the plane to his presidential library once Boeing finishes crafting the new Air Force One planes.
Trump went to Qatar last week to attend a dinner with state leaders as part of his blockbuster Middle East trip to make deals and set out priorities for the region.
The U.S. has a long and complicated history with Qatar due to its material support for terrorist organizations and foreign influence operations within U.S. institutions. Qatar has played a role in cease-fire negotiations in Israel and Hamas’s ongoing war in Gaza and assisted the U.S. with defeating ISIS during past administrations. Qatar also plays an important role in supporting U.S. military operations in the Middle East and has entered into several defense cooperation agreements with the U.S.