Pentagon Accepts Qatar Boeing 747 for Trump Library Amid Ethics Scrutiny

The Trump administration initiated discussions with Qatar to acquire a luxury Boeing 747, rather than the aircraft being a spontaneous gift from the Qatari royal family as President Trump repeatedly claimed. After Boeing delayed delivery of new Air Force One jets, the administration sought alternatives, leading Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to identify Qatar's Boeing 747-8 as a suitable option, with negotiations between the U.S. and Qatari defense departments commencing. The Pentagon has since accepted the plane, which will be retrofitted to meet presidential transport security requirements, but the deal has faced bipartisan ethical scrutiny amid concerns over foreign influence and constitutional gift restrictions. Officials from both countries emphasize the transaction is a formal, transparent exchange reflecting longstanding U.S.-Qatar military cooperation, rather than an attempt at bribery or influence-peddling. Retrofitting the aircraft is expected to be costly and time-consuming, potentially taking up to two years, while the official new Air Force One jets remain scheduled for delivery in 2027. The plane is intended to be donated to Trump's presidential library after his term, underscoring the complex political and legal dynamics surrounding the acquisition.