A firestorm of controversy has erupted in Washington after U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth accepted a Boeing 747 from the Gulf state of Qatar, offered for use as Air Force One during Donald Trump’s presidency.
The gesture, valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars, has stirred deep concerns on Capitol Hill, raising constitutional questions, ethical red flags, and national security alarms over the use of a foreign-donated aircraft as the official plane for the President of the United States.
In a statement to Fox News, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the deal: “The Secretary of Defense has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar in accordance with all federal rules and regulations.
“The Department of Defense will work to ensure proper security measures and functional-mission requirements are considered for an aircraft used to transport the President of the United States. For additional information, we refer you to the United States Air Force.”
The arrangement has drawn fierce criticism from lawmakers across the political spectrum. At the heart of the uproar is the unprecedented nature of accepting a luxury aircraft from a foreign government—and the possible expectations that may come with it.
Trump loyalist Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, warned that “the plane poses significant espionage and surveillance problems.” On the other side of the aisle, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., called the move both unethical and unlawful: “Trump cannot accept a $400 million flying palace from the royal family of Qatar. Not only is this farcically corrupt, it is blatantly unconstitutional.”
Security implications are also at the top of the mind for Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who questioned Qatar’s track record and its influence on U.S. interests.
“Qatar is not, in my opinion, a great ally. I mean, they support Hamas. So what I’m worried about is the safety of the president,” he told reporters last week.
Despite these concerns, the Defence Department appears committed to moving forward. Officials have not clarified whether the aircraft has yet undergone the extensive retrofitting required to meet Air Force One’s ultra—secure standards—a process that experts say could cost U.S. taxpayers over $1 billion and take several years to complete.
The gift has only added fuel to broader debates over foreign influence and presidential accountability. Critics argue that the deal, even if technically legal, creates the appearance of impropriety.
“The transaction strikes me as being rife with political espionage, ethical and constitutional problems,” said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.
Still, former President Trump has dismissed the outcry, insisting that the jet was gifted to the United States, not him personally. “It would be stupid not to accept a free jet,” he said. “It’s not going to me. It’s going to America.”
As the political fallout continues, questions remain over whether the aircraft will ultimately serve as Air Force One—and what message its acceptance sends about the U.S. presidency and foreign entanglements.
