USA US Welcomes Qatari Gift: Fiery Debate Over New Air Force One

[webfact]

 

Preparations are under way to repurpose a Qatari jumbo jet as Air Force One for President Donald Trump, reports suggest. Qatar is giving the $400 million Boeing aircraft as an "unconditional" gift, with the US covering the refit expenses. Critics express concern, characterising it as a potential "bribe" from a foreign entity.

 

The White House maintains that accepting the aircraft is lawful and plans to donate it to Trump's presidential library post office. There are existing rules limiting officials to gifts under $480. A memorandum of understanding between Qatar and the US Department of Defence indicates the jet will be handed over "as is," with the Pentagon managing essential modifications before integration into the presidential fleet.

 

Before the jet becomes operational as Air Force One, security inspections will include checks for espionage devices. The document stresses that this donation is a bona fide gesture and refutes implications of corruption. The Qatari gift has ignited anger across the political spectrum in the US, including among Trump's conservative supporters.

 

Commentator Ben Shapiro criticised the gift on his podcast, suggesting Qatar has ulterior motives for the donation. Prominent right-wing voice Laura Loomer deemed the acceptance a potential blemish on the administration.

 

The BBC reached out to both the White House and the Pentagon for details regarding the plans.

 

The current Air Force One fleet comprises 747-200 jets in service since 1990 and some smaller 757s. Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Boeing over delays in delivering two new Air Force Ones, considering alternate options, including the Qatari jet.

 

Legal experts are divided on whether accepting the plane breaches constitutional rules, which prohibit officials from taking gifts from foreign governments without Congressional consent. The substantial value of the aircraft makes this donation extraordinary under current rules.

 

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the finalisation of legal frameworks to ensure compliance with the law. Trump hinted that the aircraft might end up in his presidential library, a common repository for documents and a museum of memorabilia.

 

The retrofit of the aircraft is expected to be costly, with costs potentially soaring into hundreds of millions of dollars. Enhancements would include advanced security systems, mid-flight refuelling capability, and electromagnetic pulse protection. Defence insiders speculate funds might be redirected from the Sentinel missile programme to cover expenses.

 

The prospect of this new Air Force One continues to be controversial, with many scrutinising its implications as a significant foreign gift. The ongoing work on legal and financial aspects highlights the intricate nature of both international diplomacy and domestic politics in the debate over its acceptance.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-07-29

 

 

[Tug]

Translation….we the us taxpayers are saddled with this flying whale to fix up for trump so he can take it when we are rid of him.

[HappyExpat57]

Just another grift. At least there are millions of children around the world who can give up eating and starve so the US can afford this monstrosity.

[Dan O]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

 

Preparations are under way to repurpose a Qatari jumbo jet as Air Force One for President Donald Trump, reports suggest. Qatar is giving the $400 million Boeing aircraft as an "unconditional" gift, with the US covering the refit expenses. Critics express concern, characterising it as a potential "bribe" from a foreign entity.

 

The White House maintains that accepting the aircraft is lawful and plans to donate it to Trump's presidential library post office. There are existing rules limiting officials to gifts under $480. A memorandum of understanding between Qatar and the US Department of Defence indicates the jet will be handed over "as is," with the Pentagon managing essential modifications before integration into the presidential fleet.

 

Before the jet becomes operational as Air Force One, security inspections will include checks for espionage devices. The document stresses that this donation is a bona fide gesture and refutes implications of corruption. The Qatari gift has ignited anger across the political spectrum in the US, including among Trump's conservative supporters.

 

Commentator Ben Shapiro criticised the gift on his podcast, suggesting Qatar has ulterior motives for the donation. Prominent right-wing voice Laura Loomer deemed the acceptance a potential blemish on the administration.

 

The BBC reached out to both the White House and the Pentagon for details regarding the plans.

The current Air Force One fleet comprises 747-200 jets in service since 1990 and some smaller 757s. Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Boeing over delays in delivering two new Air Force Ones, considering alternate options, including the Qatari jet.

 

Legal experts are divided on whether accepting the plane breaches constitutional rules, which prohibit officials from taking gifts from foreign governments without Congressional consent. The substantial value of the aircraft makes this donation extraordinary under current rules.

 

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the finalisation of legal frameworks to ensure compliance with the law. Trump hinted that the aircraft might end up in his presidential library, a common repository for documents and a museum of memorabilia.

 

The retrofit of the aircraft is expected to be costly, with costs potentially soaring into hundreds of millions of dollars. Enhancements would include advanced security systems, mid-flight refuelling capability, and electromagnetic pulse protection. Defence insiders speculate funds might be redirected from the Sentinel missile programme to cover expenses.

 

The prospect of this new Air Force One continues to be controversial, with many scrutinising its implications as a significant foreign gift. The ongoing work on legal and financial aspects highlights the intricate nature of both international diplomacy and domestic politics in the debate over its acceptance.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-07-29

 

 

The interesting issue that trumps team has left out is that the retrofit for this plane to make it usable will cost more than or equal to a new plane and that it will take 2 years to complete. The 2 new planes that trump is complaining about that are behind schedule would be finished before this one is completed.

[FlorC]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Trump hinted that the aircraft might end up in his presidential library, a common repository for documents and a museum of memorabilia.

That is going to be a BIG library !

[phetphet]

Next they will be looking for a donor of a second one as a spare because the existing ones are too old.

 

Saudi perhaps?

[bamnutsak]

trump will add so much gold this thing won't get off the ground.

 

 

[JAG]

The ultimate grift!

 

They will have to be careful where they fit the inevitable golden khazi; that sort of weight could affect the flying characteristics of the aircraft!

[metisdead]

Posts with derogatory nicknames, intentional misspellings, or personal remarks will be removed. Spell names correctly for all sides of the debate. 

[spidermike007]

His reward for sucking up to despots 

[Emdog]

On the bright side, Trump is old and out of shape. He may be gone before the plane is ready

[spidermike007]

12 minutes ago, Emdog said:

On the bright side, Trump is old and out of shape. He may be gone before the plane is ready

Fantasizing can be a wonderful thing. 

[billd766]

If it is going to be Air Force One. Then it should belong to the US government and NOT to Trump.

 

If it is going to belong to Trump, then he should personally pay for the enhancements AND the cost of stripping them out, when he is no longer president.

[DezLez]

5 hours ago, FlorC said:

That is going to be a BIG library !

Has he ever been in a library I wonder!