In a move that could mark the most valuable gift ever received by the U.S. from a foreign government, the Trump administration is preparing to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from Qatar’s royal family, according to sources familiar with the matter. The aircraft, dubbed a “flying palace” due to its lavish interior, is set to be temporarily used as Air Force One and later transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation.
Though the official announcement was expected during President Donald Trump’s upcoming trip to Qatar—his first foreign visit in his second term—a senior White House official stated that the gift will not be formally presented during the visit.
Trump personally toured the aircraft, a 13-year-old Boeing jet, at West Palm Beach International Airport in February. The plane is reportedly undergoing upgrades to meet U.S. military standards for presidential use. Aviation experts estimate the jet’s value at approximately $400 million, excluding the cost of installing secure communications systems and other modifications.
The deal is already attracting scrutiny due to its unusual nature and potential legal implications. However, sources say that lawyers from the White House Counsel’s Office and the Department of Justice have reviewed the arrangement and deemed it legal. A legal analysis drafted for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth concluded that the U.S. Department of Defense could accept the aircraft and later transfer ownership to the Trump Presidential Library without violating anti-bribery laws or the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which prohibits U.S. officials from accepting gifts from foreign states.
Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House lawyer David Warrington supported the legality of the deal. Bondi provided a memorandum last week confirming the gift is acceptable under federal law if transferred to the library foundation before the end of Trump’s term.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt affirmed that the administration is following all legal procedures: “Any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws. President Trump’s Administration is committed to full transparency.”
Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar’s media attaché, confirmed that the gift is still under consideration by Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense. The aircraft is expected to be delivered to the U.S. Air Force, which will fund and oversee its upgrades. The jet will then be handed over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by January 1, 2029.
The current Air Force One fleet consists of two Boeing 747-200 aircraft that have been in service since 1990. A replacement contract with Boeing, signed in 2018, has been delayed repeatedly. With new planes not expected until 2029, Trump has grown frustrated and tasked Elon Musk with expediting the process in collaboration with Boeing and the Air Force. Although some progress has been made, Boeing’s current estimate for delivery is 2027—two years later than Trump’s desired timeline.
The overhaul of the Qatari aircraft is being handled by aerospace firm L3Harris, with modifications to make it fit for presidential use