Deal for Qatari-donated Boeing jet, intended to supplement Air Force One fleet, raises ethical and cost concerns despite being termed an “unconditional donation.”
The United States and Qatar are reportedly days away from finalizing an agreement for a Boeing jet, intended for use as a supplemental aircraft to Air Force One.
This development follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding on July 7 by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.
READ: Feds Launch Investigation Into Duke University Over Alleges Racial Discrimination
The document outlines the terms of Qatar’s “unconditional donation,” explicitly stating that the U.S. will incur no cost for the plane’s transfer and emphasizing that it is not connected to any form of bribery or undue influence.
Despite the Pentagon’s earlier announcement of the deal’s completion in May, The Washington Post first reported that the final agreement is expected next week.
The 13-year-old luxury jet, previously used by the Qatari royal family, was initially announced as a gift ahead of President Trump’s visit to the Middle East in early May.
However, the “gift” has drawn significant criticism from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers due to ethical and corruption concerns, as well as the substantial cost to U.S. taxpayers for retrofitting the aircraft.
READ: Trump Mocks Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions Post-Airstrikes: “How Stupid Can You Be?”
While Trump has repeatedly claimed the plane is “free of charge,” the Air Force will be responsible for stripping and equipping the jet with necessary security and communications equipment.
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink estimated the retrofit could cost “less than $400 million,” though aviation experts suggest figures as high as $1 billion or more.
To fund this, the Air Force plans to divert hundreds of millions from the Sentinel program, an over-budget nuclear missile upgrade. The aircraft is currently awaiting its retrofit in San Antonio, Texas.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
