The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to accept a super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the royal family of Qatar. This gift, potentially the most valuable ever extended to the United States by a foreign government, is intended for use by President Donald Trump as the new Air Force One until shortly before he leaves office. Ownership of the plane would then be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation, according to sources familiar with the proposed arrangement.

While an announcement was initially expected during Trump's visit to Qatar, a senior White House official stated the gift would not be presented or gifted during that time. Trump confirmed his administration was preparing to accept the aircraft, calling it a "very public and transparent transaction" with the Defense Department. He had previously toured the plane, known as "a flying palace," at West Palm Beach International Airport.

This unusual arrangement has raised legal questions about the acceptance of such a valuable gift from a foreign power. Sources told ABC News that lawyers for the White House counsel's office and the Department of Justice drafted an analysis concluding that the Department of Defense could legally accept the aircraft as a gift and later turn it over to the Trump library, without violating bribery laws or the Constitution's emoluments clause. Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House lawyer David Warrington reportedly concluded it would be "legally permissible" for the donation to be conditioned on transferring ownership to Trump's presidential library before the end of his term.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that "Any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws" and that "President Trump's Administration is committed to full transparency." Qatar's media attaché, Ali Al-Ansari, indicated that the transfer of an aircraft for "temporary use" as Air Force One is under consideration by Qatar's Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense.

The plane will initially be transferred to the United States Air Force for modifications to meet U.S. military specifications. It will then be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation no later than January 1, 2029, with transfer costs covered by the U.S. Air Force. Aviation industry experts estimate the aircraft's value at about $400 million, excluding additional security equipment.

L3Harris has reportedly been commissioned to overhaul the plane to meet presidential jet requirements. Trump claimed Democrats are insisting the administration pay for the aircraft rather than receive it for free. Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer criticized the arrangement, stating, "Nothing says 'America First' like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar. It's not just bribery, it's premium foreign influence with extra legroom." Sen. Adam Schiff cited the Constitution's No Title of Nobility clause, calling the situation "brazen" corruption.

Both the White House and DOJ concluded that because the gift is not conditioned on any official act, it does not constitute bribery. Bondi's legal analysis also stated it does not violate the Constitution's prohibition on foreign gifts because the plane is being given to the United States Air Force and, eventually, to the presidential library foundation. The current Air Force One fleet uses two aging Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets operational since 1990. Efforts to replace those aircraft has faced delays and cost overruns.

Amid the controversy, Qatar’s Media Attaché to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, told The Washington Post that the report was “inaccurate” and stressed that nothing has been finalized. It was also noted that Qatar spends massive sums of money to gain influence in the United States. Pro-Trump activist journalist Laura Loomer urged Trump not to accept such a “gift” from Qatar, declaring, “This is really going to be such a stain on the admin if this is true.”