Announcement of Aircraft Gift Expected Ahead of Qatar Visit
Donation Planned After Term Ends... Private Use Possible
Ethical and Security Concerns Raised
US President Donald Trump has received a Boeing 747-8 aircraft as a gift from the Qatari royal family and has decided to use it as his presidential aircraft, according to reports by ABC News and other outlets on May 11 (local time).
ABC News and other sources stated that Qatar's official announcement of the aircraft gift is expected within the next few days. President Trump will begin his tour of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) starting on May 13.
According to officials, the Trump administration plans to modify the aircraft for use as 'Air Force One,' the presidential aircraft. After President Trump leaves office, the plane is expected to be donated to the Trump Presidential Library. This would allow President Trump to use it privately after his term ends.
The aircraft is reportedly 12 to 13 years old and was previously owned by the Qatari royal family before being operated by a private company. The price of a new Boeing 747-8 commercial aircraft reaches $400 million (approximately 559.7 billion won).
President Trump's current private jet, 'Trump Force One,' is a Boeing 757 that first flew in the early 1990s. President Trump purchased the aircraft secondhand in 2011. The current US presidential aircraft in operation is a Boeing 747 that has been in service for over 30 years.
President Trump, who has expressed dissatisfaction with the aging Air Force One since his first term, signed a contract during his first administration to receive two Boeing 747-8 aircraft as presidential jets, but Boeing's delivery has been delayed.
CNN noted, "Given the immense value of the Boeing 747-8, this move is unprecedented and raises significant ethical and legal concerns." Regarding the aircraft gift, Senator Adam Schiff (Democrat, California) stated on social media that it is a "clear violation of the Emoluments Clause" and called it "blatant corruption."
The White House denied allegations of bribery. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said, "Gifts from foreign countries are always accepted in full compliance with all relevant laws."
There are also major security concerns. Citing sources, CNN reported that within the Secret Service, the idea of a foreign government gifting an aircraft to be used as Air Force One is considered a "security nightmare." The source stated, "The US Air Force would have to disassemble the aircraft and inspect its integrity to look for surveillance equipment."
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Qatari government responded to these reports by saying, "The possibility of transferring an aircraft for use as Air Force One is currently being discussed between Qatar and the US Department of Defense, but no (final) decision has been made yet," adding, "The matter is under review by the respective legal departments."
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