The United States has accepted a 747 jetliner as a gift from Qatar, and the Air Force has been tasked with determining a rapid upgrade path for its use as a new Air Force One, US media outlets reported on Wednesday. According to The New York Times, which initially broke the story, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth accepted the $400 million Boeing-made jet and has instructed the US Air Force to devise a method for quickly upgrading it to serve as US President Donald Trump’s official aircraft.
Legal experts have raised questions regarding the scope of laws pertaining to gifts from foreign governments, which are designed to prevent corruption and undue influence. Democrats have also sought to block the handover of the aircraft.
Qatar has dismissed concerns surrounding the aircraft deal. Trump, for his part, has shrugged off ethical considerations, stating it would be “stupid” not to accept the jet. Bloomberg, CBS News, CNBC, and other media outlets also reported the deal, citing a Pentagon spokesperson. Representatives for the Department of Defense could not be immediately reached for comment, nor could the government of Qatar.
