President Donald Trump is reportedly taking matters into his own hands after growing increasingly frustrated with Boeing’s disastrous delays in delivering two new Air Force One aircraft — a project he personally spearheaded during his first term.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump has now enlisted Florida-based defense contractor L3Harris to transform a lavish Boeing 747-8, once owned by the Qatari government, into a fully customized presidential aircraft by this fall.
The move comes as Boeing continues to fumble the $3.9 billion taxpayer-funded contract to deliver two new state-of-the-art planes — a project that was originally supposed to be completed last year.
But due to years of engineering blunders, supplier issues, and what insiders describe as “bureaucratic incompetence,” the aerospace giant has fallen so far behind schedule that it now fears it won’t meet the deadline before Trump finishes his second term.
The former president toured the Qatari aircraft himself in February at Palm Beach International Airport. Based on photos and witness reports, the interior — decked out with gleaming floors, gold-accented ceilings, and plush leather furnishings — aligns perfectly with Trump’s signature taste in opulence.
Earlier, ABC News ran a hit piece suggesting that President Donald Trump was poised to receive a $400 million Boeing 747-8 from the Qatari royal family as a “gift” — to be used as a temporary Air Force One and then handed over to his presidential library.
According to the news outlet, the nearly brand-new aircraft, originally commissioned by Qatari royals, will be temporarily used as Air Force One during Trump’s second term and then donated to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation upon the conclusion of his presidency.
The aircraft, which has flown only a handful of times, is estimated to be worth upwards of $400 million and features gold-plated fixtures, private suites, and luxury lounges fit for royalty.
Rasking wrote, “Trump must seek Congress’ consent to take this $300 million gift from Qatar. The Constitution is perfectly clear: no present “of any kind whatever” from a foreign state without Congressional permission. A gift you use for four years and then deposit in your library is still a gift (and a grift).”
Trump must seek Congress’ consent to take this $300 million gift from Qatar. The Constitution is perfectly clear: no present “of any kind whatever” from a foreign state without Congressional permission. A gift you use for four years and then deposit in your library is still a… https://t.co/GmTWK3pFJi
— Rep. Jamie Raskin (@RepRaskin) May 11, 2025
According to ABC, Trump’s legal team — including White House Counsel David Warrington and Attorney General Pam Bondi — proactively sought clearance from the Department of Defense and the DOJ to ensure the arrangement was above board. Sources familiar with their findings say both departments concluded the plan is “legally permissible.”
Bondi reportedly provided a legal memorandum to the White House last week affirming that the Department of Defense could accept the aircraft as a gift and subsequently transfer it to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation without violating the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution or federal bribery laws.
The Constitution (Article I, Section 9) does prohibit federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign heads of state without Congressional consent. But federal law — namely the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act of 1966, and amendments passed in 1977 — already provides a framework for handling such gifts.
According to the General Services Administration (GSA), gifts from foreign governments exceeding a set “minimal value” must be treated as property of the United States. Recipients can only retain them by purchasing them at fair market value. Otherwise, the gift becomes part of the National Archives or GSA-managed property.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional information.
