President Trump, frustrated with the slow pace of upgrading the Air Force One fleet, wants a new plane this year —and the royal family in Qatar is set to deliver, per ABC News.
His administration is poised to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet known as "a flying palace" that was previously used by the Qatar government, the network reports. The aircraft is worth around $400 million, per ABC — not including the communication and defensive upgrades that will be needed for presidential travel. The U.S. government has commissioned defense contractor L3Harris to refurbish it, the Wall Street Journal previously reported.
Lawyers in the Trump administration say the plane poses no legal issues even though the Constitution forbids U.S. government officials from accepting gifts "from any King, Prince or foreign State," ABC reports.
Attorney General Pam Bondi says the plane will be given to the U.S. Air Force — not Trump — and will be sent to his presidential library foundation when he leaves office, per ABC.
Trump ordered two new planes during his first term and Boeing won a nearly $4 billion contract to deliver them. But they are years behind schedule and billions of dollars over budget, and the latest estimate is they won't be ready until 2027.
Trump, who toured the Qatar plane in February when it was parked at a West Palm Beach airport, is set to accept the 13-year-old jet next week when he visits the Middle East country, ABC reports.
It's not the only bling Trump is bringing back to the White House. He's added gold ornaments to the fireplace where he meets world leaders, a gold FIFA World Cup trophy on a table beside his desk, golden eagles to a side table and gold "Trump 47" coasters, NPR reports.
Trump plans to add a $100 million ballroom to the White House and pave part of the Rose Garden so that it resembles the patio at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, The New York Times reports. And he wants to hang a grand chandelier from the Oval Office ceiling, per The Times.
NBC News reports the military parade Trump is planning next month in Washington, D.C. — set to be held on the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary and Trump's 79th birthday — could cost as much as $45 million.
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