Overview

• President Trump has expressed openness to accepting a Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8 as a temporary Air Force One, citing delays in the contracted replacements.
• Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Brian Schatz, are exploring procedural measures to block the acceptance of the jet, citing constitutional concerns.
• Sen. Rand Paul has stated he would refuse to fly on the Qatari jet, referencing Article II of the Constitution prohibiting acceptance of foreign gifts.
• Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy suggested Trump’s consideration of the jet is a strategy to pressure Boeing into expediting the delayed Air Force One replacements.
• Qatar has finalized a historic agreement to purchase 160 widebody aircraft from Boeing, marking the largest order of its kind in the company's history.