Trump admin considers jet from Qatar for future Air Force One use
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Photo: Reuters
The Trump administration has accepted a Boeing 747 jetliner from the Qatari government, a move that has sparked widespread criticism. The U.S. Air Force has been instructed to evaluate how quickly the aircraft could be modified for potential use as a new Air Force One.
The controversy intensified following President Trump’s recent trip to Qatar, where he negotiated business agreements on behalf of the U.S.
A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed the gift to both the New York Times and the Associated Press.
The aircraft will need extensive upgrades to meet the stringent security requirements for presidential use, such as installing missile defence systems, secure communication networks, and shielding against electromagnetic pulses. Pentagon officials have acknowledged that, in its current state, the jet is not fit for Air Force One duties.
Concerns have been raised in Congress that the Air Force may be under pressure to fast-track the modifications, potentially putting essential safety measures at risk.
Lawmakers from both parties have also expressed scepticism about Qatar’s intentions, speculating that the gift could be an effort to gain influence or that the plane might be equipped with covert surveillance technology, the Guardian reported.
Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, a Democrat, has previously criticized the gift, especially in light of President Trump’s recent visit to the Middle East.
Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, rejected claims that the jet was offered to influence President Trump, emphasizing that the gift was fully approved by the Qatari government and not intended to sway U.S. policy. Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha on Tuesday, he suggested that such exchanges are typical between allied nations and expressed confusion over why some perceive it as an act of bribery.
He also highlighted that the relationship between Qatar and the United States is a two-way partnership and brings mutual benefits to both countries.
Trump had previously taken a strong stance against Qatar during his first term. In June 2017, he accused the nation of being a major sponsor of terrorism and publicly backed a blockade imposed on Qatar by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.