The administration of President Donald Trump is reportedly considering accepting a donation of an ultra-luxurious Boeing 747-8 from the royal family of Qatar, according to sources cited by .
The plane, valued at around 400 million dollars, would be modified by the United States Air Force to serve functions as the new Air Force One.
The aircraft, nicknamed "flying palace" for its opulent interior, would be used until the end of Trump's current term, at which point it would become part of the Trump Presidential Library Foundation.
The official announcement of the gift is scheduled for next week during Trump’s visit to Qatar, his first international trip since assuming his second term.
The event has raised ethical and legal concerns, especially as it coincides with the recent signing of a Trump Organization agreement to build a golf resort in the Arab country.
Nevertheless, a legal memorandum prepared by the team of the White House attorney and Attorney General Pam Bondi concluded that accepting the plane is "legally permissible," as the gift is given to the State and not to an individual.
The plane will initially be transferred to the Air Force, which will contract the firm L3Harris to equip it with the necessary security equipment. It will later be handed over to the Trump Foundation before January 1, 2029. The costs of the operation will be covered by the Department of Defense.
While the White House and the Department of Justice believe that the gift does not violate the emoluments clause of the Constitution, critical sectors label it as institutional corruption. “This is bribery in plain sight,” denounced activist Ed Krassenstein on social media.
This movement also reflects Trump's frustration over the delays in the new Air Force One, whose contract with Boeing has faced ongoing setbacks since 2018.
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