Trump administration poised to accept 'palace in the sky' as a gift for Trump from Qatar: Sources [View all]
Source: abc news
The luxury jumbo jet is to be used as Air Force One, sources told ABC News.
By Jonathan Karl and Katherine Faulders
May 11, 2025, 6:02 AM
In what may be the most valuable gift ever extended to the United States from a foreign government, the Trump administration is preparing to accept a super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the royal family of Qatar -- a gift that is to be available for use by President Donald Trump as the new Air Force One until shortly before he leaves office, at which time ownership of the plane will be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation, sources familiar with the proposed arrangement told ABC News.
The gift is expected to be announced next week, when Trump visits Qatar on the first foreign trip of his second term, according to sources familiar with the plans.
Trump toured the plane, which is so opulently configured it is known as "a flying palace," while it was parked at the West Palm Beach International Airport in February.
The highly unusual -- unprecedented -- arrangement is sure to raise questions about whether it is legal for the Trump administration, and ultimately, the Trump presidential library foundation, to accept such a valuable gift from a foreign power.
Anticipating those questions, sources told ABC News that lawyers for the White House counsel's office and the Department of Justice drafted an analysis for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth concluding that is legal for the Department of Defense to accept the aircraft as a gift and later turn it over to the Trump library, and that it does not violate laws against bribery or the Constitution's prohibition (the emoluments clause) of any U.S. government official accepting gifts "from any King, Prince or foreign State."..........................
.........According to aviation industry experts, the estimated value of the aircraft Trump will inherit is about $400 million, and that's without the additional communications security equipment the Air Force will need to add to properly secure and outfit the plane in order to safely transport the commander in chief.............
Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-administration-poised-accept-palace-sky-gift-trump/story?id=121680511
I think it is wrong for a President--any president --or US official to accept such a huge gift.
It is valued at $400 MILLION!!--now will have to be outfitted with all the electronics and other special items that a Air Force One needs.
^^Edit to add:
See inside Trump’s lavish new Air Force One complete with gold walls and opulent furnishings
https://nypost.com/2025/05/03/us-news/see-inside-trumps-lavish-new-air-force-one-complete-with-gold-walls-and-opulent-furnishings/
The interior also boasts gold-colored walls and gold furnishings. 5
The interior also boasts gold-colored walls and gold furnishings.
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