The U.S. Department of Defense has accepted a Boeing 747 jet from Qatar to be used as Air Force One for President Donald Trump, a move drawing swift backlash over ethical and constitutional concerns.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the acceptance Wednesday, stating the aircraft will undergo security modifications to meet presidential standards. The plane, described as a luxury model, was offered during Trump’s recent visit to the Middle East.
Trump defended the decision on social media, touting it as a cost-saving measure for taxpayers. “Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for FREE?” he wrote on Truth Social.
Critics, however, say the gift could violate the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which prohibits U.S. officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval. Democrats immediately condemned the transfer, and even some Republican lawmakers voiced unease over the optics and legal implications.
“This unprecedented action is a stain on the office of the presidency and cannot go unanswered,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. He also accused the Trump administration of hiding details of what he called a “corrupt plot” for Trump to retain the jet as part of his presidential library after leaving office.
The Qatar aircraft—reportedly outfitted with state-of-the-art luxury interiors—has been dubbed a “palace in the sky.” While the Pentagon insists the acceptance was within legal guidelines, transparency advocates and ethics watchdogs are calling for a full investigation into the arrangement.
Though the Trump administration has framed the plane’s acquisition as a patriotic and pragmatic gesture, legal experts say it raises serious questions about foreign influence, precedent, and presidential privilege.
Congress could challenge the decision or introduce legislation to block the use of the aircraft if concerns escalate. For now, the Pentagon says it is proceeding with the necessary upgrades to deploy the jet for official use.
