The Trump administration accepted an unconditional donation of a luxury jet from Qatar, with no requirements about the plane’s fate after President Donald Trump leaves office, according to a memorandum of understanding signed this month by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Qatar’s Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Soud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.
The agreement allows the Air Force to start retrofitting the plane—nicknamed a “flying palace” due to its opulent interiors—for presidential use. Although the cost of refurbishing the aircraft is classified, some lawmakers have estimated it could approach $1 billion. Questions about the deal have been referred between the Air Force and Hegseth’s office without clear answers.
Senator Chris Murphy, D-N.Y., criticized the potential expense during a Senate hearing, arguing it would be unwise for taxpayers to fund an upgrade costing nearly $1 billion for a plane used only briefly before being transferred to Trump’s presidential library foundation. The Air Force Secretary, Troy Meink, confirmed that funds for the retrofit would come from the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program budget, which is being restructured and currently over budget but not immediately impacted.
The donated aircraft is accepted “as is,” without guarantees or warranties, and may be used or disposed of at the Department of Defense’s discretion, as long as it complies with U.S. laws. The memorandum also stresses that the gift is bona fide and should not be interpreted as any form of bribery or undue influence.