President Donald Trump is making ready to simply accept a luxurious jet from the royal household of Qatar, which he’ll use as Air Power One, 4 sources aware of the planning confirmed to NBC Information.
The airplane, a Boeing 747-8 jet, is about to be transferred to Trump’s presidential library basis on the conclusion of his second White Home time period, two sources confirmed to NBC.
The administration will retrofit the airplane so it may be utilized in Trump’s official capability as president.
The lavish present is more likely to increase questions from authorized students and specialists surrounding the legality of the transfer.
A brand new business Boeing 747-800 prices roughly $400 million, based on information from 2019, the newest yr for which information is publicly accessible.
White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned in a press release to NBC Information that “any present given by a overseas authorities is at all times accepted in full compliance with all relevant legal guidelines.”
“President Trump’s Administration is dedicated to full transparency,” Leavitt mentioned.
The Division of Justice didn’t instantly reply to CNBC’s request for remark.
ABC Information first reported on the plans.
Experiences of the transfer comes as Trump is about to journey to the Center East this week, together with a cease in Qatar, for the primary overseas journey of his second time period.
Trump struck a deal throughout his first time period to modernize two Boeing 747s for use as the brand new Air Power One plane. However the fixed-price contract with Boeing has gone greater than $2 billion over finances amid repeated delays. The planes will not be accomplished till a minimum of 2027.
Trump this yr expressed frustration over the Boeing delays and mentioned he was weighing alternate options.
“We might purchase a airplane or get a airplane, or one thing,” he mentioned in February, based on a Reuters report on the time, whereas touring a Qatari 747 at Florida’s Palm Seaside Worldwide Airport.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg mentioned in January that the corporate was working with DOGE lead and key Trump ally Elon Musk on delivering the planes sooner.
CNBC reported earlier this month that the U.S. was working with L3Harris Applied sciences to change a used Qatari Boeing 747 to probably grow to be a brand new U.S. presidential airplane.
— NBC Information contributed reporting.
