Qatar has requested that any formal agreement with the United States explicitly acknowledge that the luxury Boeing 747-8 Air Force One deal was initiated by the Trump administration, according to a Washington Post report.
Contradicting former President Donald Trump’s claim that Qatar offered the aircraft to him as a gift, Qatar insists that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two nations reflects that the Trump administration began the transaction.
The 747-8, valued at approximately $400 million, is intended to be converted into the next presidential aircraft. However, despite official statements from the Trump administration that the US Air Force had accepted the plane, sources indicate the deal remains unfinalized, with negotiations ongoing.
Critics argue that accepting such an expensive aircraft from a foreign country could be perceived as a bribe or an attempt by Qatar to gain political influence. Concerns have been heightened by media reports claiming the Trump administration planned to donate the aircraft to a Trump presidential library after his tenure, allowing Trump personal access to a plane acquired through official channels.
While Trump characterized the aircraft as "free," the plane requires extensive retrofitting with secure presidential features estimated to cost around $1.5 billion, according to Air Force assessments highlighted by The Washington Post. Additional costs of approximately $500 million would be needed to remove those features after Trump leaves office.
This development underscores the complexities and controversies surrounding the luxury Air Force One procurement process during the Trump administration.
