Latest news with #luxuryjet
The Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Trump laments Qatar luxury airplane gift ‘much too big' for his own use
Donald Trump said the new luxury plant gifted to him by Qatar is 'much too big' for his personal use. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office at the White House on Wednesday, 28 May, the US president said 'Frankly, it's too big, much too big.' Mr Trump described the new jet as 'beautiful, big, magnificent.' The Republican accepted the Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet, valued at $400m, as a gift from the Qatari royal family during his trip to Middle East.
ABC News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
US President Donald Trump accepts luxurious Qatari jet despite security, ethical concerns
The US Air Force has been asked to find a way to rapidly upgrade a luxury jet accepted as a gift from Qatar for it be used as the new Air Force One to transport President Donald Trump. The Boeing 747 jetliner, so luxurious it is known as the flying palace, has been accepted by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth after the president visited the country last week. Qatari officials initially denied the jet was being gifted and instead called it a "possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One". Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the Defense Department will "work to ensure proper security measures and functional-mission requirements are considered." Democrats have estimated it would cost more than $US1billlion ($1.55 billion) to convert the plane to Air Force One standards and have sought to block the handover. Legal experts have also questioned the scope of laws relating to gifts from foreign governments that aim to thwart corruption and improper influence. "Today marks a dark day in history: the president of the United States of America officially accepted the largest bribe from a foreign government in American history," Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said. The "unprecedented action is a stain on the office of the presidency and cannot go unanswered," he added. Trump has also shrugged off ethical concerns, saying it would be "stupid" not to accept the 747-8 jet. Trump has dismissed concerns and said it would be "stupid" not to accept the jet. Retrofitting the 13-year-old plane, will require significant security upgrades, communications improvements to prevent spies from listening in and the ability to fend off incoming missiles, experts say. The plane might need fighter jet escorts and could be restricted to flying inside the US unless costly security upgrades were made, aviation experts and industry sources said previously. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth said the United States has two fully operational Air Force One jets and has no need to retrofit the Qatari plane. The Pentagon has not said how much it will cost or how long it will take. The costs could be significant given the cost for Boeing's current effort to build two new Air Force One planes is over $US5 billion. The current Air Force One airplanes entered service in 1990. The Air Force One program has faced chronic delays over the last decade, with the delivery of two new 747-8s slated for 2027, three years behind the previous schedule. Trump toured the Qatari Boeing plane in February at a Florida airport. CNN reported this week the Trump administration first approached Qatar to ask about acquiring a Boeing 747 that could be used as Air Force One. Trump has said Qatar reached out and offered the jet as a "gift." ABC/Wires
Bloomberg
21-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Why Trump Wants a $400 Million Airplane Rife With Risks
President Donald Trump has always had strong opinions about the planes used as Air Force One, from their price to their baby-blue color scheme. Frustrated with the growing costs and delays associated with the Boeing Co. 's development of new presidential jetliners, Trump is turning to an unlikely alternative for his next ride: the Middle Eastern nation of Qatar, which has offered him a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet. The arrangement has raised numerous questions about security considerations and the ethics of accepting such a gift — even from a strategic ally. Despite those concerns, the Trump administration, on May 21, formally accepted the offer. Here's what to know.
Bloomberg
21-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
US Accepts Qatar Luxury Jet as Trump's New Air Force One
The Defense Department formally accepted a luxury Boeing Co. 747-8 jumbo jet from Qatar to temporarily serve as the new Air Force One for President Donald Trump, one of the biggest foreign gifts ever given to the US government. The move fulfills Trump's desire for a new presidential aircraft, after years of delays in the US government's contract with the aerospace giant for new planes to serve that role. Still, the gift raises ethical and security concerns, with politicians from both parties questioning the president's decision.
Bloomberg
21-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
US Accepts Qatar Luxury Jet to Serve as Trump's Air Force One
The Defense Department formally accepted a luxury Boeing Co. 747-8 jumbo jet from Qatar to temporarily serve as the new Air Force One for President Donald Trump, one of the biggest foreign gifts ever given to the US government. The move fulfills Trump's desire for a new presidential aircraft, after years of delays in the US government's contract with the aerospace giant for new planes to serve that role. Still, the gift raises ethical and security concerns, with politicians from both parties questioning the president's decision.
