Trump Debuts Qatar-Donated 747 as Temporary Air Force One

Overview

• The Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar entered temporary presidential service after an inaugural flight that carried President Trump to North Dakota on Wednesday, July 1.
• The aircraft is valued at about $400 million and features luxury fittings shown by the White House, including leather reclining seats, wood panels, meeting tables and a press cabin with seats that convert into beds.
• The U.S. Air Force says the jet’s modifications prioritized operational readiness and that the plane meets presidential standards, but major military systems and hardened communications still need installation to match full Air Force One capability.
• Opponents, ethics observers and some lawmakers have raised constitutional and security questions about accepting a high‑value gift from a foreign government, prompting calls for further review and public scrutiny.
• The donation is temporary: the jet will be used until Boeing delivers two custom Air Force One aircraft expected in 2028, a delay that has kept presidential travel on hold for a long‑planned replacement program.