Overview

• The U.S. Department of Defense has formally accepted a $400 million Boeing 747 gift from Qatar to serve as an interim Air Force One, citing compliance with federal regulations.
• Retrofitting the 13-year-old jet to meet Air Force One security and communications standards is expected to cost up to $1 billion and take several years.
• Lawmakers from both parties have raised concerns about potential violations of the Constitution’s emoluments clause, prompting calls for investigations and legislative action to block the plane's use.
• President Trump defended the acceptance of the gift as a cost-saving measure, while Qatar’s prime minister stated the transfer was conducted transparently and legally.
• The Air Force has begun planning classified contracts for modifications, but questions remain about funding and the timeline as Boeing’s contracted replacements face further delays until at least 2027.