Trump reportedly set to accept luxury jet gift from Qatar’s royal family

President Donald Trump is reportedly expected to receive a lavish Boeing 747-8 aircraft from Qatar’s royal family during an upcoming visit to the Gulf region, with the plane possibly being outfitted for presidential use, according to a report from ABC News.

Sources say the aircraft could serve as a temporary version of Air Force One until Trump leaves office in January 2029. At that point, ownership would reportedly shift to the foundation in charge of his future presidential library.

An official announcement of the gift is anticipated during Trump’s visit to Qatar, which is part of a broader diplomatic tour that includes stops in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—his first extended overseas trip of his second term. The Qatari government has not yet responded to requests for comment.

To address concerns over the legality of accepting such a substantial gift from a foreign government, White House officials have prepared a legal justification. ABC News reports that they argue the gesture would be permissible under the Constitution. The Emoluments Clause, found in Article I, Section 9, Clause 8, prohibits federal officeholders from accepting gifts or titles from foreign states without the approval of Congress.

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According to the report, Trump plans to have the aircraft modified with secure communications systems and other classified upgrades to make it fit for presidential use.

However, it is expected to fall short of the advanced capabilities found on the current Air Force One fleet and the new planes now in production. A former U.S. official briefed on the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted that while countermeasures and secure systems could be installed on the Qatari plane relatively quickly, the aircraft would remain less capable than the current or incoming VC-25B aircraft.

Unlike the existing VC-25A aircraft, neither the Qatari plane nor its replacement versions are equipped with mid-air refueling capability, the official said.

The current presidential aircraft—two heavily modified Boeing 747s—have been in use for over 30 years. Boeing is under contract to deliver new replacements, though the project has faced delays and cost overruns. The first updated plane is now expected in 2027, with the second to follow in 2028, the final full year of Trump’s second term.

ABC News also reported that the plane resembles a 13-year-old Boeing aircraft Trump viewed earlier this year at Palm Beach International Airport while visiting Mar-a-Lago.

Trump’s private business interests in the Middle East continue to expand, notably with a recent agreement to build a high-end golf resort in Qatar in partnership with Qatari Diar, a real estate firm supported by Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund.

Qatar, ruled by the Al Thani family, is home to Qatar Airways and has strengthened its relationship with Trump over the years. After initially backing a regional blockade against Doha during his first term, Trump later publicly praised the Gulf nation.

Critics have raised concerns over the blurred lines between presidential policy and Trump’s private ventures in the region. However, administration officials maintain that Trump’s assets are managed by his children through a trust and cite a voluntary ethics pledge made by the Trump Organization earlier this year. That agreement bars direct dealings with foreign governments but still permits partnerships with private international firms—marking a shift from the company’s stricter policy during Trump’s first term.

When asked Friday whether the president would meet with any individuals linked to his family’s business interests during the trip, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded that it was “ridiculous” to suggest Trump “is doing anything for his own benefit.”

(AP)