White House Uncertain About Future of Qatar-Donated Jet Used by Trump
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The Qatar-gifted Boeing aircraft that served as a temporary Air Force One for President Donald Trump may not be sent to his presidential library, according to reports and statements from his son.
The Department of Defense is reconsidering the disposition of a Boeing jet donated by Qatar that was briefly used by President Donald Trump as a stand-in Air Force One. Eric Trump told NBC News that plans for the aircraft have changed, suggesting it will not be displayed at the Trump presidential library as previously mentioned.
The aircraft, valued at about $400 million, is undergoing security upgrades and other modifications that could raise its worth by several hundred million dollars. The jet was transferred to the U.S. government last year under a 1990 statute allowing the Pentagon to accept contributions for defense programs, a move that sparked bipartisan criticism over the propriety of accepting such a gift.
Lawmakers expressed concern that the donation may violate constitutional provisions barring federal officials from receiving significant foreign gifts without congressional approval. The plane was used by Trump in early July for a NATO summit in Turkey before he returned to the older Air Force One model on security advice, as the Qatar-donated jet lacked some defense features of the standard aircraft.
Boeing is currently upgrading the jet while also working on two new Air Force One planes, a program that has faced cost overruns and delays.
"The gift is a blatant bribe," said Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., reflecting the criticism from some members of Congress.