Pentagon accepts 747 from Qatar as Democrats try to block Air Force One plan
President Donald Trump’s embrace of a luxurious jet offered as a gift by the Qatari royal family has drawn bipartisan concerns about converting the aircraft to serve as a new executive airlifter.
US President Donald Trump gestures with a saber after cutting into a cake representation of the new Air Force One design during the Commander-In-Chief inaugural ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has accepted a 747 jumbo jet offered as a gift by the Qatari royal family, Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement today, setting in motion President Donald Trump’s plan to convert the luxurious aircraft into a new flying White House despite bipartisan concern.
“The Secretary of Defense has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar in accordance with all federal rules and regulations,” Parnell said. “The Department of Defense will work to ensure proper security measures and functional-mission requirements are considered for an aircraft used to transport the President of the United States.”
An Air Force spokesperson added that the service is “preparing to award a contract to modify” the plane, but details “related to the contract are classified.”
The aircraft’s acceptance, which was first reported by the New York Times, follows the Tuesday revelation from newly confirmed Air Force Secretary Troy Meink that Hegseth “has directed the Air Force to basically start planning to modify the aircraft.” Meink’s comment came during a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Trump confirmed plans to accept the plane on May 11, calling the offer a “GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE” to the Defense Department. The president has expressed interest in equipping the aircraft to serve as a temporary new Air Force One amid delays with a Boeing-led project he negotiated in his first term, which is years behind schedule in delivering two new presidential airlifters to replace ones currently in use.
Trump also previously told reporters that the jet would be transferred to his presidential library, but that it would be an exhibit similar to the one on display in former President Ronald Reagan’s California library. “I wouldn’t be using it,” he said.
Democrats and several Republicans quickly spoke up against the plane’s acceptance, pointing to a mix of ethics concerns that the jet with a reported estimated value of hundreds of millions of dollars is functionally a personal gift to Trump, and with the security risks associated with accepting the aircraft from a foreign entity. Administration officials and some other Republicans have countered that the aircraft will meet military standards for transporting the president.
Early this morning during a markup session of congressional Republicans’ reconciliation bill in the House Rules Committee, Connecticut Democrat Rep. Joe Courtney introduced an amendment [PDF] that would prevent any of the bill’s funds from being used to either convert a foreign-owned aircraft for executive airlift or “transfer such an aircraft to a non-governmental entity.”
The amendment likely has a tough path to passage even if it makes it through the Rules Committee, but signals that Democrats are likely to try and keep the issue front of mind for voters.
A Question Of Cost
Officials have not shared how they will pay for the aircraft’s modification or how much the work would cost. Prior to today’s acknowledgment by the Air Force that a contract would be forthcoming, news reports said L3Harris had been tapped to modify the plane.
During the Tuesday SASC hearing, Illinois Democrat Sen. Tammy Duckworth pressed Meink for more details on the plane’s conversion, which she said would cost over $1 billion. Meink replied, “Any civilian aircraft will take significant modifications” to serve as a new Air Force One, “and based on the Secretary’s direction, we are postured [to do that] and we’re off looking at that right now, what it’s going to take for that particular aircraft.”
Duckworth then said she was concerned about pressure officials were under to deliver the aircraft so quickly, expressing unease that some requirements may even be relaxed for the Boeing project already underway.
“As we lay out the plan, we will make sure that we do what’s necessary to ensure security on the aircraft,” Meink said.
