Overview

• The U.S. Department of Defense has officially accepted a luxury Boeing 747 jet from Qatar to serve as a temporary Air Force One due to delays in Boeing's replacement program.
• Retrofitting the jet for presidential use is projected to cost over $1 billion and will require extensive security modifications, including counterintelligence measures.
• Lawmakers from both parties have raised concerns about potential violations of the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting foreign gifts without congressional approval.
• President Trump defended the decision as a cost-saving measure, stating the jet will later be donated to his presidential library after his term ends.
• Qatar’s prime minister denied any intent to influence U.S. policy, framing the gift as a gesture of partnership between allied nations.