Trump takes Qatar superplane as Air Force

US President Donald Trump’s Air Force One trip back to Washington, DC, on May 4, 2025, Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.

Leah Millis | Reuters

President Donald Trump is preparing to accept the luxury jet of the Qatar royal family, which he will use as Air Force One, four sources familiar with NBC News’ plans.

The plane, a Boeing 747-8 jet, will be transferred to Trump's Presidential Library Foundation at the end of his second White House term, two sources confirmed.

The administration will modify the aircraft so it can be used as Trump's official identity as president.

Luxury gifts may raise questions from legal scholars and experts surrounding the legitimacy of the move.

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According to data since 2019, the price of the new commercial Boeing 747-800 is about $400 million, which is the data that is publicly available in the past year.

"Any gift given by a foreign government is always in full compliance with all applicable laws," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to NBC News.

"President Trump's administration is committed to full transparency," Levitt said.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.

ABC News first reported on the plan.

The move comes as Trump will travel to Qatar on his first foreign trip to the Middle East this week, including a stop in Qatar.

Trump reached a deal in his first term to modernize the two Boeing 747s as a new Air Force aircraft. However, due to repeated delays, the fixed-price contract with Boeing exceeded the budget by more than $2 billion. The plane will not be completed until at least 2027.

Trump expressed frustration at Boeing's delays this year and said he was weighing other options.

"We may buy a plane or take a plane or something," Reuters reported.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said in January that the company is working with Doge Lead and Key Trump Ally Elon Musk to deliver planes faster.

CNBC reported earlier this month that the United States is working with L3HARRIS Technologies to modify the used Katari Boeing 747 to become the new U.S. presidential aircraft.

NBC News contributed the report.