Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Trump Plans Ireland Trip on Qatari Jet Amid Security Concerns
President Donald Trump plans to use a large airplane donated by Qatar for a trip to Ireland.
He is expected to visit Dublin and a golf course in Doonbeg.
The plane was changed quickly so it could be used for presidential travel.
Reports say it may not yet have all the missile-defense equipment expected on a presidential plane.
Trump said the plane will be upgraded starting in October.
He said the work will take about 60 days.
The plane became more controversial after Trump secretly changed aircraft during a trip to Turkey because of a reported threat.
Trump has said the Qatari plane will probably go to his presidential museum after he leaves office.
Donald Trump plans to fly to Ireland next week on a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar’s royal family.
The trip is expected to include Dublin and Trump’s golf course in Doonbeg for the Irish Open.
Trump said the aircraft will undergo additional security upgrades beginning in October, taking about 60 days.
Reports say the rapidly retrofitted plane may not have anti-missile systems installed.
The aircraft remains controversial because of foreign-gift concerns, a reported Turkey security scare, and delays to replacement Air Force One aircraft.
- Who
- U.S. President Donald Trump, the White House, Qatar, and U.S. military officials are involved.
- What
- Trump plans to take Qatar’s donated Boeing 747 to Ireland before its additional security upgrades are completed.
- When
- The Ireland trip is planned for next week; reports dated September 4 and 5 said the upgrades will begin in October and take about 60 days.
- Where
- The trip is expected to include Dublin and Doonbeg in western Ireland.
- Why
- The aircraft was introduced for presidential use after delays to purpose-built replacement Air Force One aircraft, while Trump said further upgrades are needed to maximize its capabilities.
Critics
Trump Administration
Security readiness
Critics
Critics question Trump’s decision to use the Qatari aircraft before its additional upgrades, citing reports that it lacks anti-missile systems and the earlier Turkey aircraft switch.
Trump Administration
Trump said the plane has substantial capabilities and will be upgraded to operate in any territory. A senior administration official said the government maintains a safe, secure, and reliable presidential capability.
Foreign gift concerns
Critics
Critics have raised ethical and security objections to the United States accepting a lavish aircraft from Qatar, including speculation that Trump could use it personally after leaving office.
Trump Administration
Trump said the aircraft will probably be transferred to his presidential museum after his term, although he has not made a final decision.
Use before upgrades
Critics
Critics argue that the delayed modifications and reported defensive limitations make the aircraft an unsuitable choice for presidential foreign travel.
Trump Administration
The administration has confirmed the Ireland trip while declining to discuss specific modifications, saying presidential security capabilities are routinely updated as needed.
- Aircraft
- A luxury Boeing 747 donated to the United States by Qatar’s royal family in 2025.
- Ireland itinerary
- Trump is expected to visit Dublin and Doonbeg for the Irish Open.
- Upgrade schedule
- Trump said the aircraft will be sent for additional modifications in October, with the work taking about 60 days.
- Reported capability concern
- The rapidly retrofitted plane was reportedly not fitted with anti-missile security systems.
- Turkey security scare
- During Trump’s departure from a NATO summit in Ankara in July, he was secretly moved to another aircraft after a reported Iranian threat.
- Future plans
- Trump said the aircraft will probably go to his presidential museum after he leaves office in 2029, though he said he has not made a final decision.
- Replacement aircraft
- Boeing expects to deliver the first of two purpose-built replacement Air Force One aircraft in 2028, several years behind schedule.
