Photo by Carlos Pernalete Tua
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has officially accepted a luxury Boeing 747 jet from Qatar for President Donald Trump’s use as Air Force One, the Pentagon confirmed Wednesday. The controversial move, which comes amid significant legal and ethical questions, involves accepting an extravagant gift from a foreign government — a decision that has triggered bipartisan concern on Capitol Hill.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that the Defense Department would undertake necessary modifications to ensure the aircraft meets stringent security requirements for presidential use. Parnell also insisted that the acceptance of the jet adhered to all federal laws and regulations.
President Trump defended the acceptance of the aircraft — which took place during his recent trip to the Middle East — as a cost-saving measure for American taxpayers. “Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for FREE,” Trump wrote on his social media platform during the trip.
However, critics have argued that accepting such a lavish gift, described by some as a “palace in the sky,” raises serious constitutional concerns. Legal scholars and lawmakers point to the U.S. Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign states without the consent of Congress. Trump’s decision has drawn sharp rebukes from Democratic leaders, with some Republicans also expressing unease.
“This unprecedented action is a stain on the office of the presidency and cannot go unanswered,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York. Schumer also voiced suspicions regarding the eventual fate of the aircraft, alleging that there are “corrupt” plans for Trump to use the plane at his presidential library once he leaves office. He pledged to continue blocking Department of Justice political nominees until full transparency is provided.
In response, Schumer has introduced legislation to ban the use of any foreign-donated aircraft as Air Force One and to block any taxpayer funds from being used to refit such a plane.
Further complicating matters, aviation and defense experts have noted that retrofitting the Qatari aircraft to meet U.S. military and presidential standards would be enormously expensive and time-consuming. Critics say that rather than saving money, the decision could ultimately cost over $1 billion, particularly when two fully operational Air Force One planes are already available.
“Far from saving money, this unconstitutional action will not only cost our nation its dignity, but it will force taxpayers to waste over $1 billion in taxpayer dollars,” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., during a congressional hearing on Tuesday. She emphasized that the gift from the Qatari royal family presents a dangerous precedent for U.S. national security and foreign policy.
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink testified before senators that Secretary Hegseth has instructed the service to begin planning how to upgrade the aircraft to required specifications. He acknowledged the process would demand extensive modifications. The Air Force released a statement confirming that preparations are underway to award a classified contract for the retrofitting project.
Pressed on the issue during an Oval Office meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Trump downplayed the criticism, insisting that the aircraft was “given not to me, [but] to the United States Air Force,” and aimed at helping the country offset costs associated with its aging presidential fleet.
Trump took a swipe at Boeing during the exchange, saying the company was “a little bit late” with the new Air Force One jets already in development.
Ramaphosa, seated beside Trump and eager to maintain cordial relations, joked, “I’m sorry I don’t have a plane to give you.” Trump replied, “If your country was offering the United States Air Force a plane, I would take it.”
Despite efforts to frame the jet as a gift to the nation rather than a personal benefit, critics argue Trump has failed to establish any pressing national security rationale for immediately adopting the Qatari aircraft. The administration’s decision bypasses the timeline for Boeing’s long-standing project to produce a new generation of Air Force One jets, which is already well underway.
To ease opposition, Trump has proposed that he will not personally use the aircraft after his term ends. Instead, he said, the jet would be donated to a future presidential library, in a manner similar to President Ronald Reagan’s retired Boeing 707, which is currently displayed at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California. Still, opponents remain unconvinced and continue to push for full congressional review and legislative restrictions on foreign gifts.
