President Donald Trump defends jumbo jet from Qatar as Boeing fails to deliver new Air Force One fleet as promised
President Donald Trump defended the U.S. decision to accept a jumbo jet gift from Qatar’s royal family to serve as a temporary Air Force One, citing Boeing’s failure to roll out a new Air Force One fleet in a timely manner. During a press conference on drug prices, Trump expressed his disappointment in Boeing for taking so long to build a new Air Force One, emphasizing the outdated state of the current aircraft, which is over 40 years old.
Upon returning to office in January, Trump discovered that construction on the new Air Force One fleet was significantly behind schedule. As a solution, the Trump administration informed him of Qatar’s offer to donate a $400 million Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to the Department of Defense. Trump defended the decision to accept the gift, highlighting the cost savings and the opportunity to use a newer aircraft while waiting for the completion of the new fleet.
Addressing concerns over potential quid pro quo implications, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt assured the public that the donation is under legal review to ensure compliance with the law and that there will be no expectation of favors from Qatar in return. Trump also took to social media to dismiss criticism from Democrats, labeling them as “world-class losers” for questioning the gift.
While some lawmakers have called for an ethics investigation into the acceptance of the luxury aircraft, Trump’s administration maintains that all gifts received from foreign governments are handled in full compliance with the law. The current Air Force One fleet, consisting of two aging planes, has been in need of replacement for years, with the new fleet not expected to be completed until 2029.
Despite the controversy surrounding the Qatar gift, Trump is set to embark on a trip to the Middle East, where he will meet with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The jumbo jet will not be presented to Trump during his trip abroad. In the meantime, Trump continues to use his private Boeing 757 jet, known as Trump Force One, for personal travel.
Overall, Trump defended the decision to accept the jumbo jet gift as a practical solution to the delayed construction of the new Air Force One fleet. While facing criticism and calls for investigation, the administration maintains that the acceptance of gifts from foreign governments is done transparently and in accordance with the law.
