Qatari Royals Set to Gift Trump a $400M Boeing 747

 

In a move that has stunned diplomats and watchdogs alike, the Qatari royal family is reportedly offering former U.S. President Donald Trump an ultra-luxurious Boeing 747-800 aircraft a gesture estimated to be worth a staggering $400 million.

According to exclusive reports by ABC News and The New York Times, the aircraft, though 13 years old, is said to be in pristine condition and will undergo a military retrofit courtesy of the U.S. Air Force. Once upgraded, it’s expected to serve as a future Air Force One the iconic aircraft that ferries U.S. presidents across the globe.

But this gift isn't just another diplomatic handshake it's poised to be the most valuable foreign donation ever made to the United States. The Qatari royal family, worth an eye-watering $335 billion, is no stranger to luxury, but this move has raised eyebrows for its sheer scale and timing.

Even more controversial is what happens after Trump. Reports suggest that upon the conclusion of his term (or terms), the aircraft would be handed over to his presidential library, ensuring continued access to the jet as a private citizen. Critics argue this could effectively create a publicly-backed private fleet while his team insists everything is by the book.

To ward off legal challenges, Trump’s legal inner circle including former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House legal adviser David Warrington have reportedly crafted airtight documentation defending the legitimacy of the gift. They argue that it sidesteps any violation of the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, as well as federal ethics laws barring gifts from foreign entities.

This dramatic development comes just as Trump prepares to embark on a Middle East diplomatic tour with a planned stop in Qatar. The former president has long advocated for a new Air Force One, and now, it appears he may receive one, gift-wrapped by Gulf royalty.

Whether seen as an unprecedented diplomatic gesture or a lightning rod for ethics debates, this high-flying story is just beginning to take off.