Trump administration poised to accept 'palace in the sky' as a gift for Trump from Qatar: Sources

[riversedge]

Source: abc news

The luxury jumbo jet is to be used as Air Force One, sources told ABC News.



By Jonathan Karl and Katherine Faulders
May 11, 2025, 6:02 AM


In what may be the most valuable gift ever extended to the United States from a foreign government, the Trump administration is preparing to accept a super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the royal family of Qatar -- a gift that is to be available for use by President Donald Trump as the new Air Force One until shortly before he leaves office, at which time ownership of the plane will be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation, sources familiar with the proposed arrangement told ABC News.

The gift is expected to be announced next week, when Trump visits Qatar on the first foreign trip of his second term, according to sources familiar with the plans.

Trump toured the plane, which is so opulently configured it is known as "a flying palace," while it was parked at the West Palm Beach International Airport in February.


The highly unusual -- unprecedented -- arrangement is sure to raise questions about whether it is legal for the Trump administration, and ultimately, the Trump presidential library foundation, to accept such a valuable gift from a foreign power.

Anticipating those questions, sources told ABC News that lawyers for the White House counsel's office and the Department of Justice drafted an analysis for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth concluding that is legal for the Department of Defense to accept the aircraft as a gift and later turn it over to the Trump library, and that it does not violate laws against bribery or the Constitution's prohibition (the emoluments clause) of any U.S. government official accepting gifts "from any King, Prince or foreign State."..........................


.........According to aviation industry experts, the estimated value of the aircraft Trump will inherit is about $400 million, and that's without the additional communications security equipment the Air Force will need to add to properly secure and outfit the plane in order to safely transport the commander in chief.............



Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-administration-poised-accept-palace-sky-gift-trump/story?id=121680511

---

I think it is wrong for a President--any president --or US official to accept such a huge gift.

It is valued at $400 MILLION!!--now will have to be outfitted with all the electronics and other special items that a Air Force One needs.


^^Edit to add:

See inside Trump’s lavish new Air Force One complete with gold walls and opulent furnishings

https://nypost.com/2025/05/03/us-news/see-inside-trumps-lavish-new-air-force-one-complete-with-gold-walls-and-opulent-furnishings/
The interior also boasts gold-colored walls and gold furnishings. 5
The interior also boasts gold-colored walls and gold furnishings.

[underpants]

1. May 21st is the anniversary of Orb Day

[WhiteTara]

60. witchcraft in public view

[Rhiannon12866]

78. It's tradition for a new president to make his first foreign trip to our closest neighbor and ally, Canada

But this is where TFG went, Jared's idea??

[underpants]

89. Their "our" is different from our "our"

💰

BTW - I’ve seen the possible airplane gift from Qatar as the “pro-9/11 Airforce One”

[Rhiannon12866]

90. I completely agree with you!

And isn't there a long time rule against U.S. presidents accepting valuable gifts from other countries?? Aren't they supposed to belong in the National Archives rather than personally for any POTUS??

[underpants]

91. I think it's an offer to the office but ...

There are enhancements to commo and, as I understand it, anti-incoming flare stuff that have to be done. The while thing has to be scoured for intel.

Aviation is slow to change. This upgrade talk going on now sounds great (it is) but you are going to have to blink the system and pray to every God there is that it works right immediately and there’s never ever a glitch.

AI
A "glitch" generally refers to a temporary malfunction or error, often in a system like a computer or software, but can also describe a minor mishap or problem in other contexts. It can manifest as visual distortions, audio disturbances, or functional issues, leading to unexpected behavior.

[Blues Heron]

2. This is just wrong.

[bluestarone]

38. Word for word, my exact thoughts!!

Holy shit!! These dirty bastards!! WE no longer have our America.

[Vogon_Glory]

56. I believe there's a clause in the US Constitution prohibiting

Government officials from accepting emoluments.

I’m sure Faux Noise, Newsmax, One America and others will do their best to explain this away.

[Stryst]

77. I believe thats part of why it's been declared the new Air Force One

Because that way its an "official act" which, according to SCOTUS, Trump is immune.

[Bengus81]

3. A Royal barge is NOT AF1 with all the security and protection

That means the entire aircraft will have to be torn apart on the inside and rewired which will cost more than just having a new one built.

[Lonestarblue]

7. Isn't Boeing already building AF 1? What happens to that plane? Wasted taxpayer dollars?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

17. Yeah, but that one's not a bribe.

[Bengus81]

41. Remember 50+ years ago when we thought Nixon was corrupt to no end??

Jesus H. Christ.................

[forgotmylogin]

52. Trump gets the big fancy plane after his term.

So we'll need a plane for our next president.

[jmowreader]

72. You assume there's going to be a next president

Trump will simply have the Constitution amended to change the leader of the country from “president” to “king” and then the Trump family will run the country until the end of time.

[SomewhereInTheMiddle]

95. Trump doesn't get to keep that one after he leaves office.

I wonder if any MILSPEC upgrades will have to be removed in (hopefully) four years (or less) when he is out of office and the plane goes to his presidential library. Who will pay for that?

How will the library pay for maintenance and upkeep?

How the hell is this anything but an emolument?

Shameless...

[colorado_ufo]

93. I wonder if it will be equipped with little robots serving drinks, like R2-D2 on

Jabba the Hut's desert barge? As I recall, that "voyage" didn't end well for The Hut.

[SARose]

4. A security risk?

I don’t see how the Secret Service or anyone else would ever allow any President on this plane.

This is crazy!

[Dem4life1970]

37. That is what I was thinking too.

How can this be secured? Listening devices embedded in the frame? Not that it matters with this White House (signal chat, WhatsApp usage, etc.).

[Bengus81]

43. They'd have to gut it and start from scratch including in flight refueling capability

No...that fucking plane will NEVER see service as AF1,it will become Trump and his punk ass kids personal aircraft.

That $400M gift is taxable at 34% and is why he's trying to run this "AF1 use" CON JOB so taxpayers can foot the bill.

[Dennis Donovan]

5. Given my life-long obsession and interest of USAF VIP aircraft...

This makes me fucking sick.

[groundloop]

6. Sickening. For once I can't think of the words to express my disgust.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

18. For once?!

[sop]

8. Another crime Trump has normalized: Bribes and payoffs are legal as long as they're accepted publicly.

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. And I'm sure an Executive Order will decree that Presidential Libraries can loan anything to the former president

without charge. So that The Rapist will get a luxury plane at his disposal, paid for by the "Presidential Library" slush fund.

In fact, given his antipathy to facts and truth, and thus his lack of use for an actual "Presidential Library", I expect the whole concept will be transformed into a retirement plan for him. The "Library" will decide to purchase property that Trump owns, at above market value. It will set up apartments for him (and spawn, if he still thinks they're worth anything) in the "Library". It will not bother with normal archives, or a museum - it will fund lawyers to defend him "to preserve his legacy", and be a simple gift store for a (probably diminishing) band of cult followers to buy branded tat from him. It might even keep the crypto grift going for him.

And anyone who wants to bribe him can then donate money to the "Library" ahead of time. Like Qatar.

[riversedge]

16. OH, I do expect that this luxury plan WILL be available for Trump as long as he lives-at some one's else

expense. Somehow trump will make it legal that the tax payers pay for his luxury items!

[jayschool2013]

30. His library will be filled with historical artifacts and dioramas

In the same way the Creationist Museum is "real" to some people, Trump's bullshit factory will be "real" to millions of MAGAts.

In other words, it will be a fairy tale land with a hugely overpriced conglomeration of MAGA tchotchkes in a gilded gift shop.

[Delarage]

40. Hopefully

He will die of a cheeseburger overdose well before that happens.

[jls4561]

10. Whorehouse in the sky.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

11. Memo to press (the stenographers): It's an Emolument

E m o l u m e n t

If it is not an emolument don't do up the interior in gold.

If it is an emolument it is for the benefit of one person and it will be done up in gold.

They use the word in the article, but in stenographic fashion.

[TheRickles]

24. I seem to remember reading that there's a clause about that somewhere in the Constitution.

Did SCOTUS press the "Delete" button on that? I must've missed it amidst the steady stream of grim news these days.

That was sarcasm, BTW. I've always felt that Emoluments would've been the most direct way to impeach and convict Trump (too many prior examples to recount here). Emoluments/bribery is a simple enough issue that most folks would get it, without sliding into the legal complexities that bedeviled the last two attempts.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

26. Agree. They are using a dodge but it is clearly for one person, so I think normally that dodge would fail. . . nt

[twodogsbarking]

12. They have programmed it to ram tall buildings, like Trump Tower.

[walkingman]

13. This my friends is what the majority of America wanted - that is the sad reality.

[riversedge]

20. and I am sure that Karoline Leavitt and other Repugs will shout that from the rooftops day after day.

[Maeve]

23. No, it's what the plurality of voting Americans agreed to

He's never had a majority of Americans supporting him

[whathehell]

83. No, the one and a half percent "majority"

wanted the price of eggs lowered...and they haven't even go that, which may account for Trump's present approval rating being only 39%.

[angrychair]

14. "If this were a Democrat..."

"If this were a Democrat doing this they would be rage like an endless fire about bribery and foreign influence."

And they would be correct. But somehow when they do it it's fine and always "legal".

[Mawspam2]

15. I'm betting it will be pre-loaded with explosives.

The Arabs could blow it up at any time.

[DFW]

19. There is one little detail they might want to take into account

I ran into this thirty years ago. The first time I met Bill Clinton, he was still in office, and I brought him an ornate original 1871 Arkansas Levee Bond. It is a fairly rare item, and I was told that he was not allowed to keep it unless it was valued at under $200. Luckily, I had paid less than that for it, and had the invoice to prove it. Sitting presidents are prohibited by law from keeping gifts received while in office if their value exceeds $200.

Now, I have not recently kept up on the price of a Boeing 747, but my gut feeling is (correct me if I'm wrong) that it would probably exceed the $200 limit. Even if he and Pam Bondi were to declare the law as not applicable to presidents whose last name starts with a T and has less than six letters, the next AG would have it confiscated all the same. If a few lawyers somehow manage to do up the wording so that he doesn't take ownership until after he leaves office (and then, only if vertically), the fair value of use will exceed the $200 limit all the same. If he takes ownership after he leaves office, there might be a tax issue or two as well.

[muriel_volestrangler]

31. And their wheeze is in the article: given to the nation until shortly before Trump's term ends, then to his "Library"

As I said, I'm sure they'll find ways for the "Library" to let him use it as he wants. A Supreme Court that's fine with the gifts to its members is not going to stop Trump abusing the spirit of the system. At the very worst, he would just get to deprive his successor of having any use of it. He could just paint "TRUMP" in huge letters on it, "_{presidential library}" in tiny ones, and park it somewhere as a conspicuous "fuck you" to the nation.

[FakeNoose]

67. I can remember all the way back to Chump's first term

... when Chump and Jared thought Qatar was their "enemy." My how times have changed.
I guess you're only an enemy until you plunk down some cabbage in tribute.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

21. A foreign regime gifting a jet to a former president. It's bribery in broad daylight.

Link to tweet

[Irish_Dem]

58. This is the stuff they don't bother to hide.

What else is going on that they have to hide.
Because it is beyond the pale.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

22. It's a whore house in the sky.

It matches the Oval Office decor perfectly, and satisfies Dummie Don's never-ending quest to prop up his fragile ego. Too bad he doesn't use that energy to make life better for the people who elected him.

I wonder how long it will take before the plane gets painted to look like his campaign aircraft. No longer will Air Force One have the current unique globally recognized livery -- it will look like another f*cking airliner.

[Montauk6]

25. May one of the mechanics changing the oil have to go really bad......

[Coolgoober]

27. Two Doll Donny

In the mean time, my grandchildren can only have two dolls.

[Ferrets are Cool]

28. Illegal.Period.

[Buddyzbuddy]

29. Nope, not the Onion.

[VMA131Marine]

32. One of the reasons presidential aircraft are so expensive

Is that the people who build and maintain them have to undergo extensive screening and background checks, which won’t be the case for this plane. As others have mentioned, integrating the communications and security systems into the aircraft is also not trivial nor cheap, which is why it’s taken Boeing so long to produce the new AF1 from aircraft that were already built; it would have been easier and cheaper to build new from the start because the actual cost of the airframe is trivial compared to the upgrades that need to be made.
I’m not seeing how the Secret Service ever lets Trump fly on this thing or would if he were a “normal” President.

[Bengus81]

46. A good friend from my carpet installation days installed all the carpet on the AF1 now in use

He had to do a rigorous FBI back ground check. He passed and did the work,and also did additional work over the years. They would always bring it back to Wichita so they didn't have to go through the back ground checks with new people.

That was all those years ago when it was brand new in 1990. It was built in Seattle but brought to Wichita for all the final work still in it's green primer colored paint. It flew over the house numerous times when they were doing testing.

[IbogaProject]

33. Qatar funded Hamas

And they handled one or more bribes to Kushner first term.

[live love laugh]

34. Hopefully it goes down with him in it. 🙏🏽

[cstanleytech]

36. We get Vance then as President which isn't any better to be honest.

[live love laugh]

94. It's a start.

[cstanleytech]

35. Bullshit!!! It clearly violates the law if he's taking it with him after he leaves office.

[Bengus81]

39. Then his library will get the aircraft?? So we're supposed to believe that $400M 747 will just

set there on display baking in the Florida sun, rotting out and and have massive corrosion from the salt air??

Total 100% BULLSHIT,LIES and massive CORRUPTION.

[Cherokee100]

42. You're kidding

You're kidding me, right?. What happens to all millions of dollars, of electronic countermeasures, secret communications avionics, etc, when we give it back? How much will they steal? Will this insanity ever stop?

[ms liberty]

44. This story needs to go viral in all it's grfting glory. No one will like this obvious bribe and security threat.

[Trueblue Texan]

45. There could be all kinds of surveillance equipment on that palace in the sky...

not to mention a detonation device that goes off when UAE decides it should.

We know how careful this administration is about safety and national security .

[Sneederbunk]

47. Will have a lot of gold in it.

Will it have a Qatar flag on the tail?

[pfitz59]

48. Flying Spy Palace

Hard wired with bugs, wire taps and hidden cameras. By all means give it to him.

[Goat-0125]

49. When i read "tRump Presidential Library", I see this

https://djtrumplibrary.com/

[oldmanlynn]

50. We will go back to it being illegal for presidents to accept gifts when the next Democratic president gets an office

Of course I hope this new president completely cleanses the United States and government from Maga and I think they oughta go after Fox News and shut it down as a violation of first amendment get strong get some balls

[Joinfortmill]

51. And the 'grift' goes on..

[rubbersole]

53. Dear Qatar,

Who would you like the US military to attack and destroy for you today?
Love, The Librarian

[Mosby]

54. Isn't their more than one?

They have decoys, will this one match the others?

[kimbutgar]

55. Another case of it's ok if you are republican IOKIYAR

Can you imagine the outrage on fox and other reich wing media if Clinton, Obama or Biden accepted this jet.

This is blatant bribery and corruption and a clear violation of the emoluments clause ! That said who’s going to stop this? The msm will yawn and it’ll be forgotten by next week. So BS.

[bluestarone]

57. Puts a whole new meaning to the words

MONEY LAUNDERING!! He learned it from the 4 on the supreme court!

[taxi]

59. Air Faust One!

What a surprise

[Historic NY]

61. I think the Air Force will have a say in this....

first off the conversion is still going to require Boeing and thousands of hours of work. Works that will be diverted from the two planes dumbo negotiated for. I don't think they will allow it to fly w/o any defensive capabilities. So he gets the plane after all the modification for his library. Does anyone think he won't be using it post presidency? It should be rejected

[Sogo]

62. Fully equipped with the most up-to-date surveillance devices

so that Qatar can stay abreast of all US top secret intelligence matters that may be discussed on-board....You didn't really think this plane was free, did you Donny?

[Figarosmom]

63. This is theonly reason he wanted to be President

So world leaders would fall at hus feet while bribing him with luxurious gifts and the common man and woman falling at his feet saying yes Master what may I do for you. I worship you.

HE DID TO ENRICH HIMSELF.

[eggplant]

64. What does a presidential library want with a jumbo jet?

How much will it cost just to maintain it?

[jmowreader]

73. The Reagan Library has one of the 707s Ronnie used

The ONLY way I can accept this jet going to a “presidential library” is if they go through it and make sure it can never fly again. Otherwise this is an unconstitutional emolument because you KNOW the bastard will fly the shit out of it.

[Cheezoholic]

65. This can't be used as the official one we currently have. BUT any plane the president is aboard is designated as "AF-1"

First Air Force 1 is a call sign in name only for any aircraft the President of the United States is on. So if he rides in it then technically yes it becomes Air Force 1. But a Piper Cub, if his Fat Ass could fit, would also take on the call sign of Air Force 1.

Second, the actual 747's we officially use today (there are actually 2 I believe) are outfitted with advanced technical avionics, defense and evasion systems, top secret communications systems and the ability to mid-air refuel at a minimum. It would take 2 years to retrofit that fucking stupid plane to those specs if possible at all.

This in all actuality would be the worlds most expensive golf cart on taxpayer dollars.

[ultralite001]

66. Trojan Horse...

Trojan plane...

How much is the Mango Mussolini intending to spend on this acquisition -- paid for by the American taxpayers --
to insure "his safety + our nation's security"???

[Bernardo de La Paz]

87. Probably would be riddled with Qatari bugs, step-bugged by Russia. . . nt

[ultralite001]

92. No doubt in my mind whatsoever...

TIA...

[RobinA]

68. Why Does A Library

need a 747?

[Buddyzbuddy]

69. Hopefully the palace in the sky drops like a stone in the water.

[Picaro]

70. Really crappy lawyers

There is no way this doesn’t violate the emoluments clause in the constitution. These idiot lawyers that came to the conclusion that it doesn’t should be disbarred.

But Trump wants a gold encrusted plane.

Ultimate nouveau riche. What a classless clown.

[SupportSanity]

71. What is left of America?

[Norrrm]

74. Why would a Presidential Library need a huge plane?

Trump will own/control the plane through his library.

The AF will pay for all modifications and then all transfer costs in just a few years.

Massive costs for short term use and Trump gets the benefits.

Under normal circumstances, America would own the plane.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

75. They don't even hide the graft and corruption anymore

[Pinback]

76. This is not a matter of opinion -- see Article I, Section 9, Paragraph 8 of the U.S. Constitution

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

- Encyclopedia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/story/what-is-the-emoluments-clause

Ho-hum, just another of the hourly impeachable offenses from Derelict Don, which will go unaddressed until at least January 2027.

[Clouds Passing]

79. May he fly like icarus

[ellise]

80. Rules..

Surely this violates some constitutional rule. What is the expectation for reciprocity. We all know there is some expectation…we just don’t know what…I think this should be stopped. Democrats need to be calling Norm Eisen..to find the constitutional means to fight.

[JT45242]

81. An emolument and a way for Qatar and the Saudis to spy on mango Mussolini

A two for one...

A bribe which he will love...
A way to spy on everything said on Air Force One...

The Qataris and Prince Bone Saw are laughing all night on this one.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

82. Bondi is the one who signed off on this deal but she has serious conflicts of interest

The ABC article outlines how Bondi approved this transaction. The trouble is that Bondi has a conflict

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Oopsie Daisy]

84. Complete with the latest in tracking and listening devices.

[mkp]

85. I Refuse to pay for a Qatar Jet for American Air Force 1

I thought the tariffs were implemented to have us buy "Made In America" goods and services. HOLD YOUR BREATH until I give my OK for you to BUY a $400 million plane from another nation... You Republican Scum.

Just imagine the fiasco when something goes wrong, and you know it will. Will we blame Qatar or Republicans. Do tariffs apply to The White House, or just us people?

A New 747 cost between $200 million and $500 million

Google: Cost of a New 747 ?
[link:https://www.google.com/search?q=how+much+does+a+new+747cost&oq=&aqs=chrome.0.69i59i450l8.80234388j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[Bernardo de La Paz]

86. Welcome to DU, but the plan (not confirmed by Qatar) is a gift (emolument), not a purchase. . . . . nt

[VMA131Marine]

96. An then it will cost $4 Billion to modify the aircraft

so that it can be used as AF1.

Plus, before Trump ever flies on this aircraft, every part will have to be inspected and its provenance verified (counterfeit and uncertified airplane parts are a real problem in some parts of the world).

I don’t know why this part of the story is being ignored, the President can’t fly on a “normal” aircraft like this one.

[orangecrush]

88. What could possibly go wrong?