Trump unveils new Air Force One, a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar
President Donald Trump unveiled a converted Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar that will serve as a 'bridge' aircraft until new Air Force One jets ordered directly from Boeing arrive. The gift has revived ethics concerns over foreign emoluments, with Democratic senators calling for a formal review of the arrangement.
Trump unveiled the Qatari-donated Boeing 747 at a ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, declaring the refurbished aircraft a 'bridge' Air Force One until Boeing delivers two new VC-25B jets expected in 2027. The White House said conversion costs, including secure communications and defensive systems, are being borne by U.S. taxpayers and that the plane is owned by the Defense Department rather than the president personally.
The gift has reignited debate over the U.S. Constitution's emoluments clause, which restricts officials from accepting presents from foreign governments. Senators Chris Murphy and Elizabeth Warren called for a formal Senate Judiciary review, while the White House counsel said the donation was structured as a transfer to the Pentagon and therefore complied with existing precedent.
Boeing shares showed limited pre-market reaction; the manufacturer said the timeline for the long-delayed VC-25B programme remains unchanged. Analysts described Qatar's gift as the latest sign of deepening defence and diplomatic ties between Doha and Washington, with the Gulf state positioning itself as a key regional mediator on talks ranging from Gaza to the Iran nuclear file.
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