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Sunday, May 11, 2025
Trump said planning to accept Boeing 747 as gift from Qatari royal family, may use it as Air Force One
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US President Donald Trump plans to accept a Boeing 747 as a gift from the Qatari royal family, and will use it as a new Air Force One before having it donated to his planned presidential library, allowing him to use it once he is out of office, according to various reports.
It was previously reported that the jet was being considered as a new presidential plane, but not that it would be given as a gift.
According to the reports, the Gulf State ruling family will donate the plane to the US Air Force, at which time it will be retrofitted by a military contractor. The process could be completed by the year’s end, allowing Trump to then use it for his official duties.
Then, no later than January 1, 2029 — shortly before the end of Trump’s term — the plane is to be transferred to Trump’s presidential library, so that he can continue using it as a private citizen, according to ABC News, citing familiar sources.
Government lawyers have determined that the unprecedented gift does not constitute bribery, according to ABC News, because the plane will not be given to Trump himself, even though he will use it both during and after his presidency.
The US Constitution’s Emoluments Clause bars at least some office-holders from receiving presents “from any king, prince, or foreign state” without the consent of Congress.
Trump was accused by Democratic lawmakers in his first term of violating the provision and faced several lawsuits, but the Supreme Court threw out the pending cases after he left office.
The American leader is expected to travel to Qatar later this week, during a Mideast trip that will also include stops in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, but not Israel.
The Times of Israel Community.