CNN: Qatar's Boeing Plane Was Requested First by Trump Team

Trump's 'Gift' Claim Disputed

US broadcaster CNN reported on the 19th (local time) that Qatar agreed to provide a Boeing aircraft for use as President Donald Trump's Air Force One because the Trump administration first made the request.

US President Donald Trump is meeting with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, in Doha on the 14th (local time). Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

According to CNN, President Trump's team was told by aircraft manufacturer Boeing that it would take about two years to deliver a new plane to replace the aging presidential aircraft. In response, Boeing provided the Trump administration with a list of customers who owned aircraft suitable for use as Air Force One, and Qatar was among them. Subsequently, the US Department of Defense offered to purchase the aircraft from Qatar, and Qatar agreed to the proposal.

However, President Trump has repeatedly emphasized that the Qatari royal family is gifting the aircraft without compensation. He has said that the Boeing 747 to be received from Qatar will be used temporarily as Air Force One and then donated to the Trump Presidential Library after he leaves office.

In a Fox News interview last week, President Trump said, "The delivery of Boeing's plane is delayed," adding, "Qatar heard about this, and while I was speaking with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, he said, 'If I can help, I will.' They happened to have a plane available."

On the same day, White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt said, "The aircraft is a donation to the United States," and explained, "The Qatari royal family offered to donate this aircraft to the US Air Force, and the Air Force will accept the offer in compliance with all legal and ethical obligations."

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister of Qatar, was asked by a CNN reporter on the 14th about President Trump's claim that Qatari officials made the initial approach, but he did not confirm this. He stated that Qatar would be willing to cooperate if the United States needed the aircraft and there were no legal issues, but if it were determined to be illegal, the offer would "naturally" be withdrawn.

Boeing has separately stated that, apart from the aircraft provided by Qatar, if it receives an order from the US government for two planes to be used as Air Force One, they could be delivered by 2027.