The "tycoon" seems willing to accept the $400 million gift that could temporarily serve as "Air Force One", pending the (delayed) delivery of the VC-25Bs from Boeing

US President Donald Trump has confirmed his decision to accept a Boeing 747-8 VIP aircraft as a gift from the government of Qatar. The official acceptance, if it happens, is expected during the presidential visit to the Middle East scheduled for these days. The aircraft will serve as a temporary "Air Force One", pending the delivery of the delayed Boeing VC-25Bs (see AVIONEWS).

Trump's decision comes amid growing frustration over delays and rising costs for the new Air Force Ones (VC-25Bs based on the B-747/8I), which Boeing is now scheduled to deliver no earlier than 2027, toward the end of his second term. The current VC-25As, based on the Boeing 747-200B, date back to the late 1980s and are in urgent need of replacement.

The Boeing 747-8 VIP, registration P4-HBJ, previously operated Qatar Amiri Flight under registrations A7-HJA and A7-HBJ. Trump viewed the aircraft in February at West Palm Beach Airport, near his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida. According to "ABC News", the plane will serve as Air Force One until 2029, when the VC-25Bs are expected to be delivered. Ownership of the Qatari plane will then be transferred to Trump's Presidential Library Foundation.

Contradictory statements: the Qatari Government initially denied that the plane was a gift, saying it was a possible temporary transfer under discussion between the defense ministries of the two countries. Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar's press secretary, later stressed that "the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made". This, however, contradicts the opinion of prominent international analysts, according to whom an agreement has already been reached.

Trump's decision to accept the plane has sparked debate over its appropriateness and potential conflicts of interest. Democrats, led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and government watchdog groups argue that accepting such a large gift from a foreign government is unethical and potentially unconstitutional. In a post on "Truth Social", Trump dismissed the criticism, noting that the plane is a "free gift" to the Defense Department, and accused Democrats of wanting to charge "full price" for a new plane.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt also joined in, assuring that "any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws" and promising "full transparency." Qatar joined the chorus, through its aforementioned spokesperson Ali Al-Ansari, specifying that this was a discussion about "the transfer of the plane for temporary use", not a gift, and that "no decision has been made".

The controversy raises questions about foreign influence and transparency in the Trump administration, as the president continues to defend his decision as a money-saving opportunity for American taxpayers. In any case, an official announcement during his visit to the Middle East will clarify the details of the deal and its future implications.