In a surprising diplomatic and defense development, a Qatar Donates Boeing Jet to the United States has been formalized as part of an unconditional gift agreement signed between the Pentagon and Qatar. The aircraft — a Boeing jet currently parked in San Antonio — is expected to serve as President Donald Trump’s new Air Force One following substantial upgrades.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs of Qatar, signed the agreement on July 7. According to the memorandum of understanding (MoU), the donation is a “bona fide gift” that is free of terms, commitments, or links to any choices or expectations made by the government.
The MoU explicitly denies any connection to bribery or influence, stating that the donation was made “in good faith and in the spirit of cooperation and mutual support between the parties.”
While the MoU has been signed, sources familiar with the matter suggest it may still undergo revisions before a formal announcement is made.
Political and Ethical Controversy
The Qatar Donates Boeing Jet initially sparked backlash on Capitol Hill, with Democrats and some Republicans raising ethical concerns over a foreign government gifting an aircraft that could become the centerpiece of U.S. presidential travel. Some officials were reportedly under the impression that Qatar would sell — not donate — the jet.
President Trump, however, publicly embraced the donation, calling the jet a “GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE”, and downplayed criticism by emphasizing the spirit of bilateral cooperation.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon assured critics that the gift is not tied to any political or military decision-making. The MoU further emphasizes that the donation is “not intended to obtain or retain any improper advantage or to influence any official decision.”
Despite receiving the aircraft free of cost, modifying it for use as Air Force One is expected to be a massive undertaking. The Air Force confirmed the retrofit process is already underway, including final registration and the installation of top-level communications, security, and defense systems.
According to insiders, the Air Force intends to transfer cash from the overbudget Sentinel missile system to a classified aircraft project in order to finance the upgrades, which are classified but are expected to cost close to $400 million.
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told lawmakers that while the total retrofit price tag is classified, it would “probably” remain under $400 million — a figure that still drew scrutiny from budget watchdogs and lawmakers alike.
The Qatar Donates Boeing Jet has also triggered legal questions. The Freedom of the Press Foundation has filed a lawsuit demanding that the Department of Justice release a memo reportedly signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi in May, which offered legal reasoning behind accepting the gift.
The Qatari donation represents a complex blend of diplomacy, ethics, military necessity, and presidential logistics — all converging on what could soon become Trump’s airborne office.
