The Pentagon has accepted a Boeing 747 aircraft gifted by Qatar that will be converted for President Trump's use as Air Force One. (AP File)
- Defense Secretary Hegseth accepted Qatar's gift of a Boeing 747 for presidential use, pending security retrofitting.
- Trump defended the aircraft gift as a taxpayer saving, while others cite constitutional gift prohibition concerns.
- The Qatar plane acceptance comes despite new Air Force One jets already being developed by Boeing for years.
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WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has accepted a gifted Boeing 747 aircraft from Qatar for President Donald Trump to use as Air Force One, the Pentagon said Wednesday.
The Defense Department will “work to ensure proper security measures” on the aircraft to make it safe for use by the president, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said. He added that the plane was accepted “in accordance with all federal rules and regulations.”
Trump Defends Gift as Cost-Saving Measure
Trump has defended the gift, which came up during his recent Middle East trip, as a way to save tax dollars.
“Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for FREE,” Trump posted on his social media site during the trip.
Constitutional Concerns Raised
Others, however, have raised concerns about the aircraft being a violation of the Constitution’s prohibition on foreign gifts. They also have noted the need to retrofit the plane to meet security requirements, which would be costly and take time.
New Jet for Presidential Fleet
Trump was asked about the move Wednesday while he was meeting in the Oval Office with South Africa’s president. “They are giving the United States Air Force a jet,” Trump said.
The Republican president has presented no national security imperative for a swift upgrade rather than waiting for Boeing to finish new Air Force One jets that have been in the works for years.
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