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WASHINGTON — The United States has accepted a 747 jetliner as a gift from Qatar and the Air Force has been asked to determine a way to rapidly upgrade it for use as a new Air Force One, U.S. media outlets reported on Wednesday.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth accepted the $400 million Boeing-made jet and has tasked the U.S. Air Force to figure out how to quickly upgrade it for use as U.S. President Donald Trump's official plane, according to the New York Times, which first reported the deal.
Legal experts have questioned the scope of laws relating to gifts from foreign governments that aim to thwart corruption and improper influence. Democrats have also sought to block the handover.
Qatar has dismissed concerns about the aircraft deal. Trump has also shrugged off ethical concerns, saying it would be "stupid" not to accept the jet.
Bloomberg, CBS News, CNBC and other media also reported the deal, citing a Pentagon spokesperson. Representatives for the Department of Defense and the government of Qatar could not be immediately reached for comment.
