US President Donald Trump plans to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 from the Qatari royal family as a temporary Air Force One, according to Reuters news agency. The aircraft, worth around $400 million, would eventually be transferred to his presidential library.

Trump confirmed the plan on his platform Truth Social, where he criticized Democrats who oppose the gift. Democratic politicians and ethics experts call the gift unethical and possibly unconstitutional, as foreign donations without congressional approval are prohibited.

The White House emphasizes that the transfer, if it goes ahead, would be done according to the law. Qatar has not yet made a final decision. Lawyers from the Department of Justice and the White House are said to have legally approved the plan.

Trump visited the aircraft in Florida earlier this year and will soon v isit Qatar, but the aircraft will not be handed over there yet.

The Qatari aircraft would serve as a supplement to the two old Boeing 747-200s that are now flying as Air Force One. Due to their age, these aircraft now require a lot of maintenance. Compared to the latter aircraft, the Qatari 747 will have a lower security level and will therefore not be suitable for all presidential trips.

The American government has been having Boeing convert two other 747-8s for years to replace the current Air Force One aircraft. However, that project
has been delayed for many years, to Trump's frustration.

The Wall Street Journal reported a week ago that the Qatari 747 had been chosen as an interim solution. At that time, it was not yet clear that it was a gift from Qatar.

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* Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)