WASHINGTON (CP) – President Donald Trump defended accepting a $400 million Boeing 747-8 from Qatar while security officials warn the luxury jet would need years of costly retrofitting to meet presidential transport standards, raising questions about potential security compromises and constitutional concerns regarding foreign gifts.
President Donald Trump praised Qatar’s offer of a free Boeing 747-8 luxury aircraft on Monday, calling it a “great gesture” while dismissing security and ethical concerns. The $400 million jet, originally purchased for the Qatari royal family, was moved to San Antonio International Airport five weeks ago, suggesting preparations for modifications may already be underway. Trump emphasized the aircraft would serve as an interim solution while his administration awaits delivery of new Boeing planes built to Air Force One specifications.
Current and former U.S. military, defense and Secret Service officials expressed significant concerns about the aircraft, describing Air Force One as a “flying nuclear-hardened command post” with classified security requirements. Frank Kendall, former Air Force Secretary, highlighted counterintelligence risks, stating, “We would have to be sure nobody had planted bugs on the airplane.” Security experts warned that the 13-year-old Qatari jet would need to be stripped “down to the skeleton” to install secure communications systems hardened against jamming, cyberattacks, and nuclear blasts – a process requiring years of work and billions of dollars.
The president, who toured the lavishly appointed double-decker aircraft in February, called the current Air Force One fleet “40 years old” and inferior to planes used by Arab countries. The Qatari jet features two full bathrooms, nine lavatories, multiple bedrooms, lounges, and premium leather seating throughout both decks. Trump reportedly commissioned defense contractor L3Harris to retrofit the aircraft, though officials acknowledge he would likely need to waive numerous security requirements to use it during his presidency. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, expressed reservations, saying he wants “to make sure this whole thing is kosher.”
The gift comes amid significant delays in Boeing’s $3.9 billion contract to deliver two new Air Force One aircraft, originally scheduled for delivery last year but now pushed to at least 2027. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who previously lobbied for Qatar during Trump’s first term, signed off on a Justice Department memo approving the transfer. Trump stated that after leaving office, he would not use the Qatari jet personally and plans to display it at his future presidential library, suggesting it could increase the facility’s popularity similar to the decommissioned Air Force One at Ronald Reagan’s presidential library.