In what could be the most precious present ever prolonged to america from a overseas authorities, the Trump administration is making ready to just accept an excellent luxurious Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the royal household of Qatar — a present that’s to be out there to be used by President Donald Trump as the brand new Air Power One till shortly earlier than he leaves workplace, at which period possession of the aircraft shall be transferred to the Trump presidential library basis, sources acquainted with the proposed association instructed ABC Information.
The present is predicted to be introduced subsequent week, when Trump visits Qatar on the primary overseas journey of his second time period, in keeping with sources acquainted with the plans.
Trump toured the aircraft, which is so opulently configured it is called “a flying palace,” whereas it was parked on the West Palm Seaside Worldwide Airport in February.
A 13-year-old personal Boeing plane that President Donald Trump toured on Saturday to take a look at new {hardware} and know-how options and spotlight the plane maker’s delay in delivering up to date variations of the Air Power One presidential plane, takes off from Palm Seaside Worldwide Airport, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, in West Palm Seaside, Fla. (AP Photograph/Ben Curtis)
I Curtis/AP
The extremely uncommon — unprecedented — association is certain to boost questions on whether or not it’s authorized for the Trump administration, and in the end, the Trump presidential library basis, to just accept such a precious present from a overseas energy.
Anticipating these questions, sources instructed ABC Information that legal professionals for the White Home counsel’s workplace and the Division of Justice drafted an evaluation for Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth concluding that’s authorized for the Division of Protection to just accept the plane as a present and later flip it over to the Trump library, and that it doesn’t violate legal guidelines towards bribery or the Structure’s prohibition (the emoluments clause) of any U.S. authorities official accepting presents “from any King, Prince or overseas State.”
Sources instructed ABC Information that Lawyer Normal Pam Bondi and Trump’s high White Home lawyer David Warrington concluded it will be “legally permissible” for the donation of the plane to be conditioned on transferring its possession to Trump’s presidential library earlier than the tip of his time period, in keeping with sources acquainted with their dedication.
The sources mentioned Bondi offered a authorized memorandum addressed to the White Home counsel’s workplace final week after Warrington requested her for recommendation on the legality of the Pentagon accepting such a donation.
The White Home and DOJ did not instantly reply to request for remark. A spokesperson for the Qatari embassy didn’t reply to ABC’s inquiries.
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after disembarking Marine One upon arrival on the South Garden of the White Home in Washington, Sunday, Could 4, 2025.
Rod Lamkey/Ap
The aircraft will initially be transferred to america Air Power, which is able to modify the 13-year-old plane to fulfill the U.S. army specs required for any plane used to move the president of america, a number of sources acquainted with the proposed association mentioned.
The aircraft will then be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Basis no later than Jan. 1, 2029, and any prices referring to its switch shall be paid for by the U.S. Air Power, the sources instructed ABC Information.
In accordance with aviation trade consultants, the estimated worth of the plane Trump will inherit is about $400 million, and that is with out the extra communications safety gear the Air Power might want to add to correctly safe and outfit the aircraft with a purpose to safely transport the commander in chief.
Because the Wall Avenue Journal first reported, the aviation firm L3Harris has already been commissioned to overtake the aircraft to fulfill the necessities of a presidential jet.
President Donald Trump walks to board Marine One to depart for Alabama, on the South Garden of the White Home in Washington, D.C., U.S., Could 1, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
Each the White Home and DOJ concluded that as a result of the present just isn’t conditioned on any official act, it doesn’t represent bribery, the sources mentioned. Bondi’s authorized evaluation additionally says it doesn’t run afoul of the Structure’s prohibition on overseas presents as a result of the aircraft just isn’t being given to a person, however relatively to america Air Power and, finally, to the presidential library basis, the sources mentioned.
The first plane used within the present Air Power One fleet contains two ageing Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets which have been operational since 1990. The Air Power contract with Boeing to interchange these plane has been riddled with delays and price overruns.
The unique contract was signed in 2018, however as of final 12 months, Boeing anticipated the plane wouldn’t be prepared till 2029, after Trump leaves workplace.
The president has expressed deep frustration with the delays, tasking Elon Musk to work with Boeing and the Air Power to hurry up the method. These efforts have been modestly profitable. Boeing’s most up-to-date estimated supply date is now 2027, however Trump has made it clear he desires a brand new aircraft this 12 months.
