On Wednesday, the Trump administration officially accepted a Boeing 747 jet, a gift from the government of Qatar, according to announcements made by the Pentagon.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the acceptance of the luxurious aircraft, stating that this decision was made “in accordance with all federal rules and regulations,” as conveyed by Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell in a statement to Finance Newso.
The Department of Defense is responsible for ensuring that the jet meets “proper security measures and functional-mission requirements,” which aligns with President Donald Trump’s aspirations to designate the aircraft as the new Air Force One, Parnell noted.
This development reinforces the U.S. government’s commitment to receiving the aircraft, despite warnings from experts and accusations from Democrats regarding possible bribery.
For several years, Boeing has been working on transforming two existing 747s into future Air Force Ones, a project initiated during Trump’s initial term. However, the modifications are significantly behind schedule, and the planes may not be operational before Trump completes his second term.
Frustration regarding the delay has been expressed by Trump and administration officials, with Trump stating on Wednesday, “Boeing’s a little late, unfortunately.”
There remains uncertainty concerning whether the 13-year-old Qatari jet—valued at approximately $400 million—can serve as a viable, immediate solution.
Experts suggest that retrofitting the aircraft as Air Force One could potentially cost taxpayers upwards of $1 billion and require years to finalize.
The decision to accept Qatar’s gift has ignited considerable backlash from Democrats and critics, many of whom interpret the transaction as a blatant bribe to an American president. Concerns have also been raised by some Republicans about the implications for national security.
Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, remarked last week that “the transaction strikes me as being rife with political espionage, ethical and constitutional problems.”
Despite the criticism, Trump has staunchly defended the acceptance of the jet, deeming it “stupid” to refuse a complimentary aircraft, and emphasized that it is intended for the U.S. government, “not to me.”
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg commented during the company’s recent earnings call that they are continuously collaborating with the customer to adjust the program plan for an earlier first delivery while ensuring a focus on safety and quality.
— Finance Newso’s Leslie Josephs contributed to this report.
