 "The motorcade of US President Donald Trump is parked next to a 12-year old Qatari-owned Boeing 747-8 that Trump was touring in West Palm Beach, Florida, February 15, 2025. File Image/Reuters")
Following reports that Qatar had gifted a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet to the United States, Donald Trump clarified that the aircraft would be used only temporarily as Air Force One until new planes arrive.
The US President emphasised that accepting the gift would save the country hundreds of millions of dollars, money he said could instead be used to “Make America Great Again”.
Defending the move, Trump argued it would be unwise to reject the plane, describing it as a gesture of appreciation from Qatar, a nation the US has supported for many years.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“The Boeing 747 is being given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defense, NOT TO ME! It is a gift from a nation, Qatar, that we have successfully defended for many years. It will be used by our Government as a temporary Air Force One until our new planes—which are delayed—arrive.”
He added that refusing the gift would be foolish, stating:
“Why should our military, and taxpayers, spend hundreds of millions of dollars when we can receive a plane for free from a country that wants to thank us? This big saving will instead be used to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
According to The Hill, the aircraft is valued at approximately $400 million. Trump has previously remarked that “only a stupid person” would turn down such an offer.
In a separate post, Trump criticised Democrats for opposing the move:
“So the Defense Department is getting a 747, free of charge, to temporarily replace the 40-year-old Air Force One. Yet Crooked Democrats are upset and want us to pay top dollar. Anybody can do that! The Dems are World Class Losers!!! MAGA.”
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More ShortsMeanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Monday that the legal aspects of accepting the gift are being finalised. She stressed that any donation to the US government would be handled in full compliance with the law.
“Any donation to this government is always done in full compliance with the law,” she said, as reported by CNN.