Title: Coming soon: Trump's flying palace?
Qatar Offers to Present Trump with a $400 Million Aircraft Gift
May 12th, 2025 - 06:58 GMT Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Share
A Boeing 747-8 jet, worth a whopping $400 million, might soon take to the skies as Air Force One under the presidency of none other than Donald Trump. Set for his upcoming Middle East visit commencing May 13, the possibilities are a-buzzing.
Donald Trump, in a statement, hinted that the new bird could be a gift to the US Defense Department, with a generous dose of "FREE" thrown in for good measure. The Trump administration has been lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce on the luxury plane, a jumbo jet that could comfortably carry Trump's massive ego and Air Force One missions alike.
CNN clued us in on a potential agreement behind the scenes, dropping two informants' names as their sources. They shared that the Qatari royal family could be the ones coughing up the moolah for the brilliant Boeing beast.
But hold your horses, Trumpsters! Truth Social, the president's favorite social media platform, is painting a different picture. In a post, ol' Donny explained that the plane would be a temporary acquisition in a "very public and transparent transaction."
It seems the Qatari government is treading with caution, not wanting to step on any legal landmines. A Qatari official stretched out their arms to CNN, detailing that the gift is more like a government-to-government transaction, rather than a mere personal favor. The Defense Department will be the ones going the distance to ensure the plane's arrival, adding security features and modifications to ensure its VIP status for Trump's use.
The unofficial declaration from Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar's media attaché to the U.S., was enough to make the lawyers' eyes twinkle with excitement. He confirmed that a transfer of the aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is still being considered, but it's all still up in the air (literally) and under review.
Jordan Libowitz, a spokesperson for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, had more to say on the matter: "We've never seen something on the level of a $400 million plane. It is a scale well beyond anything we've ever seen before."
Stay tuned for updates, folks! We'll keep you posted.
On the Scene:Sally ShakkourEnglish team leader and news writer, Sally Shakkour leads our English news team. With over 6-year experience under her belt, Sally's skills in SEO and digital journalism are second to none. Her ability to create original stories and monitor our social media accounts never ceases to amaze us.
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- In the realm of politics and policy-and-legislation, the acquisition of a Boeing 747-8 jet for potential use as Air Force One by Donald Trump has sparked much debate and general-news discussion.
- As the business of politics unfolds, speculations about the funding of the luxury plane have emerged, with the Qatari royal family being mentioned as possible contributors, as reported by CNN in the sphere of news and international affairs.
- While the actual ownership of the plane remains uncertain, the Defense Department has been involved in the process, ensuring security features and modifications necessary for its VIP status, a matter of importance for both history and politics.
- As for the ethical implications of such a transaction, the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington weigh in, highlighting the unprecedented scale of such a deal in the context of business, politics, and policy-and-legislation.