Plan to Retrofit as Presidential Aircraft
NYT: "High Likelihood of Personal Use After Term"
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced his intention to use a Boeing 747-8 aircraft, known as the "Queen of the Skies," as the presidential plane after receiving it as a gift from the Qatari royal family. If the aircraft is actually received, it is expected to become the most expensive gift ever given to the U.S. government by a foreign entity.
On May 12 (local time), Yonhap News reported that President Trump, in response to reporters' questions at the White House regarding the controversy over the ultra-expensive aircraft gift, countered by saying, "It would be foolish to turn down such an offer." He added, "I think (the aircraft gift) is a wonderful gesture from Qatar," and continued, "I am truly grateful. I am not the kind of person who would turn down such an offer." He further stated, "If someone says they don't want to receive a very expensive airplane for free, that would be really foolish."
He also compared the situation to conceding a short putt in golf, explaining, "When people give you a conceded putt, you just say 'thank you' and move on to the next hole." President Trump emphasized, "This is not a gift for me personally, but a gift for the U.S. Department of Defense," and said that the gifted aircraft will be used as the presidential plane until Boeing delivers the new official presidential aircraft. He clarified that he has no plans to use the gifted aircraft for personal purposes, but added that after he leaves office, it is scheduled to be donated to the 'Trump Presidential Library.'
Earlier, American media outlets such as The New York Times (NYT) reported that the Trump administration received a Boeing 747-8 aircraft as a gift from the Qatari royal family and decided to use it as the presidential plane. Reuters·Yonhap News
Earlier, American media outlets such as The New York Times (NYT) reported that the Trump administration received a Boeing 747-8 aircraft as a gift from the Qatari royal family and decided to use it as the presidential plane. This represents the most expensive gift ever received by the U.S. government from a foreign government. The current U.S. presidential aircraft in operation is a Boeing 747 model that has been in service for over 30 years. During his first term, President Trump signed a contract with Boeing to use two 747-8 models as presidential aircraft. However, as Boeing's delivery schedule was delayed from the originally planned 2024 to after 2027, President Trump has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the delay.
After it became known that President Trump would use the Qatari royal family's Boeing aircraft as the presidential plane, the opposition Democratic Party and civic groups criticized the move, claiming it constitutes a conflict of interest and amounts to accepting a bribe in exchange for favors. Furthermore, they pointed out that if the aircraft is donated to the Trump Presidential Library, President Trump could ultimately use it for personal purposes after leaving office.
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