In a significant update, President Donald Trump is poised to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 aircraft from the royal family of Qatar, indicating it will serve as the new Air Force One. This information has been corroborated by multiple sources close to the planning, as reported by NBC News.
The aircraft is scheduled to be transitioned to Trump’s presidential library foundation once his second term concludes, according to the same sources.
Plans to retrofit the airplane for presidential duties are already in motion, enhancing its suitability for official use by the president.
This extravagant gift is expected to spark legal discussions among scholars regarding the implications and legality of such a transaction.
The current market valuation for a new Boeing 747-800 is approximately $400 million, based on data from 2019, the latest year with available figures.
Requests for comments from the White House and the Department of Justice have gone unanswered as of the time of publication.
ABC News was the first to report on this development.
Trump’s acceptance of the aircraft comes as he prepares for an upcoming trip to the Middle East, which includes a visit to Qatar, marking the initial foreign engagement of his second term.
During his first term, Trump negotiated a contract to modernize two existing Boeing 747s for use as Air Force One. However, this fixed-price agreement has seen costs soar more than $2 billion beyond initial estimates due to ongoing delays, with completion projected for at least 2027.
This year, Trump has publicly voiced his dissatisfaction over the protracted delays from Boeing, indicating that he is exploring alternative options.
In February, while inspecting a Qatari 747 at Palm Beach International Airport, Trump remarked, “We may buy a plane or get a plane, or something,” suggesting a proactive approach in finding a solution.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg stated in January that the company was collaborating with Elon Musk, an ally of Trump, to expedite the delivery of the new aircraft.
Additionally, Finance Newso reported recently that efforts are underway involving L3Harris Technologies to adapt a used Qatari Boeing 747 into a potential new presidential aircraft.
NBC News contributed reporting.
