Overview

• The U.S. Department of Defense officially accepted a $400 million Boeing 747 from Qatar to serve as an interim Air Force One, citing compliance with federal rules.
• The aircraft, previously owned by the Qatari royal family, will require extensive retrofitting for secure presidential transport, with costs potentially exceeding $1 billion.
• Boeing's delayed $3.9 billion Air Force One replacement program, now set for a 2027 delivery, prompted the Trump administration to explore interim solutions.
• Lawmakers from both parties have raised concerns about constitutional violations under the Emoluments Clause, as well as potential counterintelligence risks.
• The Air Force is preparing a classified contract to modify the jet, while critics call for an inspector general investigation into the legality and ethics of the acceptance.