Washington, May 12 – U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday defended a controversial plan to potentially use a luxury jumbo jet from Qatar as a temporary replacement for Air Force One, calling it a “gift” from the Gulf nation’s royal family and a “very nice gesture.”
“They’re giving us a gift,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “I’d be a stupid person not to accept it.”
The comments come ahead of Trump’s visit to Qatar this week, marking his first major foreign trip of his second term. The Qatari aircraft, reportedly a Boeing 747-8 worth around $400 million, would temporarily serve as Air Force One while the U.S. awaits delayed replacements from Boeing, according to U.S. media.
However, a spokesperson for Qatar disputed Trump’s characterization of the jet as a gift, calling such claims “inaccurate.” The spokesperson said the transfer was under discussion between the Qatari and U.S. defense ministries for “temporary use,” and no final decision had been reached.
“The matter remains under review by the respective legal departments,” said Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar’s media attaché to the United States.
The aircraft would require retrofitting and security clearance before any use by the U.S. president, according to CBS News. Sources also told CBS that the plane could be donated to Trump’s presidential library at the end of his term.
The potential deal has sparked criticism from Democratic lawmakers and ethics experts, who raised concerns about possible violations of the U.S. Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval.
“This aerial palace would constitute the most valuable gift ever conferred on a president by a foreign government,” said Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), who called for an investigation by the Government Accountability Office.
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) cited the constitutional ban on foreign gifts in a social media post, while far-right commentator and Trump ally Laura Loomer called the deal “a stain” on the administration.
Defending the plan, Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social: “So the fact that the Defense Department is getting a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft… so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, TOP DOLLAR, for the plane.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said any foreign gift would be handled in compliance with U.S. law and in full transparency.
Trump has previously criticized Boeing for delays in delivering new presidential aircraft, which are not expected until 2027 or 2028. The current Air Force One fleet, consisting of two Boeing 747-200Bs, has been in service since the early 1990s. Trump maintained close diplomatic ties with Qatar during his first term, and in 2019, the country announced a large purchase of U.S.-made aircraft. Qatar has also gifted aircraft to other allies, including a luxury jet to Turkey in 2018.
