Trump eyes Qatari Boeing 747 for quick Air Force One upgrade
The Trump administration approached Qatar about purchasing a Boeing 747, which could be used by President Donald Trump as Air Force One, CNN reports, citing four sources. This marks a shift in the narrative, as President Trump previously claimed that Qatar contacted him and offered the jet as a "gift."
After Trump took office in January, the Pentagon contacted Boeing and learned that the company would not be able to deliver new planes to replace the aging presidential aircraft for another two years, according to CNN.
The report states that the Trump administration wanted to find a replacement aircraft more quickly, prompting the Air Force to explore various options. At the same time, Trump tasked his envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, with compiling a list of feasible aircraft options, a senior White House official told CNN.
Following this initial cooperation, the Pentagon and Boeing provided American defense representatives with a list of other Boeing customers worldwide who had received planes. According to CNN, one of these customers was Qatar. The Pentagon offered to purchase the aircraft, and Qatar indicated it was willing to sell it.
Discussions with Qatar began after the White House expressed support for the idea. Witkoff helped facilitate these preliminary discussions. Initial talks were focused more on leasing the aircraft rather than purchasing it, according to CNN.
In the first half of May, American media reported that President Donald Trump was willing to accept a luxurious Boeing 747-8 as a gift from Qatari authorities. The plan to receive the plane from the Qatari royal family sparked protests, even among some Republicans. On Monday, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer introduced a bill that would prevent using foreign aircraft as Air Force One, the presidential aircraft.
Trump: Only a fool would not accept this gift on behalf of our country
The Boeing would be the most expensive gift from a foreign state and would first serve as Air Force One, after which it would be donated to a foundation for a presidential library. Trump himself stated that he would be "foolish" not to accept the airplane from Qatar and promised that he would not use it for private purposes after his term.
The Qatari Prime Minister denied that his country was trying to buy influence in the USA by offering a luxurious aircraft to the American side—reported Reuters. "I hope that the United States looks to Qatar as a reliable partner in diplomacy that is not trying to buy influence," the Prime Minister said.
The USA signed a contract with Boeing in 2018 to purchase two aircraft to serve as Air Force One, but deliveries are delayed. As a result, the President currently uses older aircraft, the same ones George H.W. Bush flew 35 years ago. These planes require frequent servicing and repairs, and politicians from both sides of the political spectrum have long called for their replacement.
