US formally accepts Qatar's luxury 747 jet — but it may not have been a gift after all
May 21, 2025
Key Points
- The U.S. has formally accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar valued at $400 million, initially presented as a gift but now revealed to be a payment arrangement with ongoing legal negotiations.
- Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff sourced the aircraft after learning Boeing cannot deliver new Air Force One jets for two more years.
- The plane may serve as Air Force One, though the exact terms of the transaction remain unclear as discussions shift from potential purchase or lease to current status.
Summary
The U.S. has formally accepted a luxury Boeing 747 from Qatar. The aircraft was initially described as a gift but reporting by Yahoo and CNN reveals it is actually a payment arrangement.
Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, was tasked with finding a replacement for Air Force One after Trump learned Boeing would not have new jets ready for another two years. Witkoff approached the Qatari government, which had the aircraft in stock. Boeing had provided the Pentagon with a list of potential clients who could help source a plane, and Qatar appeared on that list.
The transaction carries a stated value of $400 million. Legal negotiations over the plane's transfer are still ongoing, and the exact terms remain unclear. The deal's structure shifted at some point, though the nature of that shift and how it moved from a potential purchase or lease to its current status has not been fully explained. The plane may eventually be used as Air Force One.