Qatar Visit Brings Plane Conundrum

May 19th, 2025

Adhiyanth Ram

During his visit to the Middle East, Trump visited the wealthy, albeit small nation of Qatar, and was offered a Boeing 747, evaluated to be around $400 million. The need for such a presidential aircraft has shot up immensely due to Boeing’s delays in delivering a new presidential plane. For that reason, President Donald Trump has floated the idea of using the aircraft as a temporary Air Force 1. In fact, while the first VC-25B aircraft, designed for presidential purposes, was set to be delivered in 2024, it’s now been pushed back to 2027. The lack of domestic supply underlines the need for a new plane that can serve such a purpose. In Trump’s eyes, Qatar’s gift would be an excellent alternative.

However, while he’s eager to accept the gift, the move has drawn bipartisan backlash. Politicians on both sides are quick to label the ethical concerns present with accepting the plane. One such article noted was the violations of the Constitution's Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign states without congressional approval. Trump notes that it would later be transferred to his presidential library foundation. Defending his move, he claims, “only a FOOL would not accept this gift on behalf of our country” via a Truth Social post.

Additionally, White House and Department of Justice lawyers argue that accepting the plane is legal, because it is to be used by the government, and then eventually transferred to the presidential library. On the other hand, there are concerns over the viability of the plane. The Qatari jet has been labeled a “flying palace” and lacks the necessary security requisites to serve as a presidential vehicle. However, modifying the plane could cost billions to accomplish. Ultimately, Trump’s decision regarding the plane is controversial, and it comes with its accompanying benefits and ramifications.

Extemp question: Is there still hope for US-Qatari relations in 2026?