In what could be the most beneficial reward ever prolonged to the United States from a international authorities, the Trump administration is making ready to simply accept a brilliant luxurious Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the royal household of Qatar — a present that’s to be obtainable to be used by President Donald Trump as the brand new Air Pressure One till shortly earlier than he leaves workplace, at which period possession of the aircraft will likely be transferred to the Trump presidential library basis, sources aware of the proposed association informed ABC Information.
The reward is predicted to be introduced subsequent week, when Trump visits Qatar on the primary international journey of his second time period, based on sources aware of the plans.
Trump toured the aircraft, which is so opulently configured it is named “a flying palace,” whereas it was parked on the West Palm Seashore Worldwide Airport in February.
PHOTO: A 13-year-old non-public Boeing plane that President Donald Trump toured to take a look at new {hardware} and expertise options and spotlight the plane maker’s delay in delivering up to date variations of the Air Pressure One presidential plane. (Ben Curtis/AP)
The extremely uncommon — unprecedented — association is certain to lift questions on whether or not it’s authorized for the Trump administration, and finally, the Trump presidential library basis, to simply accept such a useful reward from a international energy.
Anticipating these questions, sources informed ABC Information that legal professionals for the White Home counsel’s workplace and the Division of Justice drafted an evaluation for Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth concluding that’s authorized for the Division of Protection to simply accept the plane as a present and later flip it over to the Trump library, and that it doesn’t violate legal guidelines towards bribery or the Structure’s prohibition (the emoluments clause) of any U.S. authorities official accepting presents “from any King, Prince or international State.”
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Sources informed ABC Information that Lawyer Common Pam Bondi and Trump’s prime White Home lawyer David Warrington concluded it might be “legally permissible” for the donation of the plane to be conditioned on transferring its possession to Trump’s presidential library earlier than the tip of his time period, based on sources aware of their dedication.
The sources stated Bondi supplied a authorized memorandum addressed to the White Home counsel’s workplace final week after Warrington requested her for recommendation on the legality of the Pentagon accepting such a donation.
The White Home and DOJ did not instantly reply to request for remark. A spokesperson for the Qatari embassy didn’t reply to ABC’s inquiries.
PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after disembarking Marine One upon arrival on the South Garden of the White Home in Washington, Sunday, Could 4, 2025. (Rod Lamkey/AP)
The aircraft will initially be transferred to america Air Pressure, which can modify the 13-year-old plane to fulfill the U.S. army specs required for any plane used to move the president of america, a number of sources aware of the proposed association stated.
The aircraft will then be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Basis no later than Jan. 1, 2029, and any prices regarding its switch will likely be paid for by the U.S. Air Pressure, the sources informed ABC Information.
In line with aviation business consultants, the estimated worth of the plane Trump will inherit is about $400 million, and that is with out the extra communications safety gear the Air Pressure might want to add to correctly safe and outfit the aircraft with the intention to safely transport the commander in chief.
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Because the Wall Road Journal first reported, the aviation firm L3Harris has already been commissioned to overtake the aircraft to fulfill the necessities of a presidential jet.
PHOTO: President Donald Trump walks to board Marine One to depart for Alabama, on the South Garden of the White Home in Washington, D.C., U.S., Could 1, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Reuters)
Each the White Home and DOJ concluded that as a result of the reward just isn’t conditioned on any official act, it doesn’t represent bribery, the sources stated. Bondi’s authorized evaluation additionally says it doesn’t run afoul of the Structure’s prohibition on international presents as a result of the aircraft just isn’t being given to a person, however quite to america Air Pressure and, finally, to the presidential library basis, the sources stated.
The first plane used within the present Air Pressure One fleet contains two getting older Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets which were operational since 1990. The Air Pressure contract with Boeing to switch these plane has been riddled with delays and value overruns.
The unique contract was signed in 2018, however as of final 12 months, Boeing anticipated the plane wouldn’t be prepared till 2029, after Trump leaves workplace.
The president has expressed deep frustration with the delays, tasking Elon Musk to work with Boeing and the Air Pressure to hurry up the method. These efforts have been modestly profitable. Boeing’s most up-to-date estimated supply date is now 2027, however Trump has made it clear he desires a brand new aircraft this 12 months.
Trump administration poised to accept ‘palace in the sky’ as a gift for Trump from Qatar: Sources initially appeared on abcnews.go.com
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