Preparations to refit the Qatari jet that will be used as Air Force One are underway, and floor plans or schematics have been seen by senior U.S. officials, CBS News has learned.
A memorandum of understanding, or MOU, between Qatar and the U.S. Defense Department, viewed by CBS News, outlines the “unconditional donation” of one Boeing 747-8 jumbo aircraft.
The memorandum was signed earlier this month by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Qatar’s deputy prime minister and minister of state for defense affairs. It does not specifically mention Air Force One but says the jet can be used by the Pentagon “in any manner it deems appropriate.”
Earlier this year, President Trump confirmed that the Qatari royal family was donating a Boeing 747-8 for his use. Valued at $400 million, the jumbo jet is set to be donated to Mr. Trump’s presidential library after his term is over.
Mr. Trump, in May, called it a “gift.”
“They knew about it because they buy Boeings, they buy a lot of Boeings, and they knew about it, and they said, we would like to do something,” Mr. Trump said. “And if we can get a 747 as a contribution to our Defense Department to use during a couple of years while they’re building the other ones, I think that was a very nice gesture. Now I could be a stupid person and say, ‘Oh no, we don’t want a free plane.'”
“Nothing in this MOU is, or shall be interpreted or construed as an offer, promise, or acceptance of any form of bribery, undue influence, or corrupt practice,” the memorandum states.”The parties affirm that the donation is a bona fide gift.”
The jet will be donated “as is,” which would mean the Pentagon is responsible for any costs to upgrade the plane to enhance its security.
One budget official believes the money to pay for upgrades will come from the Sentinel program. The Sentinel is the U.S. military program to replace the 400 silo-based nuclear Minuteman III missiles across the country. The Defense Department admits it’s behind schedule and over budget, with cost overruns of 81% since September 2020, and is now estimated to cost the U.S. $141 billion.
There are constitutional rules against a president accepting gifts from outside entities, including foreign governments and even members of Congress. Article I of the Constitution prevents any president from accepting a gift or emolument from a “King, Prince, or foreign State,” without congressional consent.
In May, Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York said he sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office urging an investigation into the Trump administration accepting a plane as a gift.
The Washington Post reported on Saturday that the U.S. government and Qatar are expected to finalize the agreement this week.
A source told CBS News in May that the plane needs to be checked for security and spying devices before it is accepted. Renovations that could cost hundreds of millions will need to be done before the plane is ready to be used as Air Force One, the Air Force secretary said last month.
Eleanor Watson and
Jennifer Jacobs
contributed to this report.