Former President Donald Trump’s visit to the Gulf region this week has been overshadowed by a swirling controversy surrounding a reported $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 jet linked to the Qatari royal family.
The jet was allegedly proposed for temporary use as Air Force One and later as part of Trump’s presidential library foundation.
On Sunday, May 11, ABC News broke the story that a highly customized super-luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet described as a “flying palace” was being prepared for Trump’s use during his second term in office.
The report stated that the aircraft, reportedly worth $400 million, would be announced during Trump’s ongoing three-nation tour of the Gulf and eventually donated to his foundation.
However, within hours, Qatari officials publicly denied the jet was a gift.
“The reports are inaccurate,” said Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar’s Media Attaché to the United States, in a statement to POLITICO.
“The possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is currently under consideration between Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense, but the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments, and no decision has been made.”
The White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that discussions are taking place in adherence to the law.
“Any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws,” Leavitt said during a press briefing on Sunday. “President Trump’s Administration is committed to full transparency.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump appeared to confirm the arrangement, dismissing the backlash.
“So the fact that the Defense Department is getting a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40-year-old Air Force One… so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, TOP DOLLAR, for the plane,” Trump wrote Sunday afternoon.
He added that the plane was a cost-saving measure, given Boeing’s delays in delivering two new Air Force One planes contracted during his first term, which are now not expected until 2027 or 2028.
Democratic lawmakers were swift and vocal in condemning the potential transfer, citing the U.S. Constitution’s Emoluments Clause (Article I, Section 9), which prohibits any U.S. official from accepting gifts from a foreign government without Congressional approval.
“Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “It’s not just bribery, it’s premium foreign influence with extra legroom.”
“Seems pretty clear that a $400 million ‘air palace’ from a foreign emir qualifies,” added Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA). “The corruption is brazen.”
Even some of Trump’s staunchest allies expressed concern. Right-wing commentator Laura Loomer, who previously declared she would “take a bullet” for Trump, posted on social media:
“This is really going to be such a stain on the administration if this is true.”
This is not the first time Qatar has gifted aircraft to foreign leaders. In 2018, the Gulf state gave Turkey a luxury jet as a sign of goodwill.
Experts suggest that such gifts often serve as diplomatic tools to strengthen bilateral ties or gain strategic favor.
“Qatar has always used soft-power gestures, like plane donations or large U.S. investments, to secure diplomatic capital,” said Dr. Lina Kassem, a Gulf affairs analyst at Georgetown University, in an interview with CBS News.
Trump’s three-day trip, his first state visit since retaking office in January, kicked off Monday, May 12, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and includes stops in Doha, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, UAE.
According to senior Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, the president’s agenda includes:
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$1 trillion in new Saudi investment into U.S. industries
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Reviving the Abraham Accords and discussions around Saudi-Israeli normalization
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Promoting AI and semiconductor partnerships with the UAE
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Engaging Qatar on military cooperation, regional security, and sanctions on Syria
Notably absent from the itinerary is Israel. Sources cited by Axios report that Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have a strained relationship, especially after recent U.S. signals that it might act independently on Middle East peace initiatives.
“At the moment, Israel is at odds with [Trump’s] overall goal, promising continuous fire,” said Israeli analyst Ori Goldberg to Al Jazeera.
“It’s not just about a plane, it’s about power, influence, and how modern diplomacy is being rewritten,” Dr. Kassem added.
As Trump concludes his Gulf tour this Thursday, all eyes will be on whether any formal announcement is made and how Congress and the courts might respond.
