The Qatari royal family is reportedly preparing to gift U.S. President Donald Trump a customized Boeing 747-8 aircraft valued at an estimated $400 million, potentially making it the most expensive foreign donation ever received by the United States.
According to reports from ABC News and The New York Times, the 13-year-old luxury aircraft will first be transferred to the U.S. Air Force, where it will undergo upgrades to meet military standards for presidential transport. The plane is expected to be designated as a future Air Force One.
The gift, attributed to Qatar’s ruling family—whose collective wealth is estimated at $335 billion—has already sparked intense scrutiny regarding its legality, diplomatic implications, and potential conflicts of interest.
Sources familiar with the arrangement say that upon the conclusion of Trump’s presidency, the aircraft will be handed over to his presidential library, effectively granting him continued access to the jet in a private capacity.
In anticipation of potential legal and political backlash, Trump’s legal advisers—including former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House counsel David Warrington—have reportedly prepared documentation asserting the gift’s legality. Their argument hinges on interpretations that the transfer does not violate federal laws restricting the acceptance of foreign gifts by U.S. officials, nor does it breach constitutional clauses meant to guard against foreign influence.
The development comes as Trump plans a diplomatic visit to the Middle East, with Qatar listed among the key stops. The president has previously criticized the aging presidential fleet and publicly expressed interest in a new, state-of-the-art official aircraft.
The proposed gift is already generating controversy in Washington, with ethics experts and lawmakers calling for transparency and congressional oversight.
