Trump Set To Keep Qatar’s $400M Air Force One Gift After Leaving Office

Taxpayers Foot Nearly $1 Billion Upgrade Bill

President Donald Trump is facing fresh scrutiny after plans emerged for him to retain a lavish Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar once he leaves office in 2029.

The aircraft, originally built for Qatar’s ruling family and valued at around $400 million, has now been converted into an interim Air Force One after a taxpayer-funded retrofit reportedly costing as much as $934 million.

The jet was unveiled at Joint Base Andrews on June 19, with Trump hailing it as “the world’s most luxurious plane” and thanking Qatar’s Emir for the gift.

The aircraft will serve as a stopgap presidential transport until Boeing finally delivers two long-delayed replacement Air Force One jets, now not expected before 2028.

Constitutional Questions Refuse To Go Away

The arrangement has triggered fierce criticism from opponents who argue the gift may violate the US Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause, which restricts presidents from accepting valuable gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval.

Several lawmakers introduced resolutions challenging the deal, arguing that a foreign government providing a luxury aircraft worth hundreds of millions of dollars raises serious ethical concerns.

Administration lawyers concluded the transfer was legal because ownership technically passes to the Department of Defense before eventually being handed to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation.

Nuclear Missile Program Raided For Funding

The controversy deepened after reports that nearly $1 billion used to modify the aircraft was diverted from the Sentinel nuclear missile modernization program.

The retrofit included:

• Advanced encrypted communications systems

• Missile defense countermeasures

• Secure command-and-control facilities

• Presidential security upgrades

Officials say the aircraft now meets all operational requirements needed for presidential travel and national security emergencies.

Critics argue taxpayers are effectively paying hundreds of millions to upgrade a foreign-donated aircraft that could eventually become Trump's personal property.

Private Jet After The Presidency

Under the current arrangement, the aircraft must be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation no later than January 1, 2029.

That would potentially allow Trump continued use of the aircraft after leaving the White House.

Such a move would be unprecedented. Former Air Force One aircraft have traditionally remained government property, entered museums, or been retired from service.

Political Storm Brewing

Supporters argue the deal saves money compared with waiting years for Boeing’s delayed replacement aircraft.

Critics counter that Americans are being asked to fund nearly $1 billion in upgrades to a foreign gift that could ultimately benefit a former president personally.

With the aircraft scheduled to appear in July Fourth celebrations and remain in service until the new Air Force One fleet arrives, the political and legal battle surrounding the jet appears far from over.

SOURCE

In your face corruption

Took them some time to see how corrupt this chap is.

I sort of liked his way of handling things fast. But for the last years, we see that he is just another... (I wont say the word as it will be rude).

As for Qatar, we all also see what those people are like. Bribing their way through.... and then, increasing their prices once they have established shop on any venture.

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

Administration lawyers concluded the transfer was legal because ownership technically passes to the Department of Defense before eventually being handed to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation.

He has no shame. None. At. All.

only have 3 magic words "Lock Him Up"...

30 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

In your face corruption

It depends what he is doing for Qatar in exchange for that jet.

If it doesn't harm or even benefits the american public, then it's technically not a problem.

He was in the Middle East a while back and apparently made massive deals.

How much is Qatar investing in the US because of Trump?

All these things need to be looked at.

22 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

It depends what he is doing for Qatar in exchange for that jet.

If it doesn't harm or even benefits the american public, then it's technically not a problem.

He was in the Middle East a while back and apparently made massive deals.

How much is Qatar investing in the US because of Trump?

All these things need to be looked at.

It is in your face corruption, and a lot of congress and senators know this there are pages of news articles about it, and is being looked into as corruption, there is no such thing as technically not a problem corruption even if this was so Who is to say its ok YOU !!

The gift would need the approval of Congress or would otherwise be a violation of the Constitution.

Edited 12 minutes ago12 min by MikeandDow

The deficit will have mushroomed out of control * by the time he leaves office ,

a Billion here a Billion there , the cost of the illegal war, and the money they are

going to be giving Iran, plus all his beautification projects * its already ,but

going to be even more bigley.

regards worgeordie

2 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

It is in your face corruption, and a lot of congress and senators know this there are pages of news articles about it, and is being looked into as corruption, there is no such thing as technically not a problem corruption even if this was so Who is to say its ok YOU !!

Of course you would like to label it corruption.

But it's not that black and white.

This is from AI.

Trump secured massive investments from Qatar in his trip to the Middle East that benefits the whole country.

Its ok, calm down ladies. I hear he owns the plane through a tangled web of dozens of LLCs which were set up to muddle corrupt activities & money trails, which if memory serves(it does😅) is the lefts gold standard of business transparency.

Check mate I believe

3 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

The deficit will have mushroomed out of control * by the time he leaves office ,

a Billion here a Billion there , the cost of the illegal war, and the money they are

going to be giving Iran, plus all his beautification projects * its already ,but

going to be even more bigley.

regards worgeordie

The simple fact is Trump is a conman and he is ripping the yanks tax money

3 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

The simple fact is Trump is a conman and he is ripping the yanks tax money

sure, simple fact. i agree. hes profiting from being president. there hasnt been one i can recall other than carter who hasnt been accused of corruption

btw how much was obama worth when he was elected vs now?

6 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Its ok, calm down ladies. I hear he owns the plane through a tangled web of dozens of LLCs which were set up to muddle corrupt activities & money trails, which if memory serves(it does😅) is the lefts gold standard of business transparency.

Check mate I believe

So your president does not have any ethical standards just greed !!

3 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

So your president does not have any ethical standards just greed !!

yeah hes as bad as biden.