Politics · United States · 6 hrs ago
Trump says Qatar offered the US a Boeing 747 as a gift
Donald Trump says Qatar’s emir offered the United States a Boeing 747 after Trump asked to borrow one.
The offer came from Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar’s ruler, and Trump says he accepted it on behalf of the United States.
Trump said the current presidential aircraft are more than 35 years old, creating a need for a plane while replacements are delayed.
The donated jet is expected to serve as Air Force One temporarily until two new Boeing presidential aircraft arrive.
The US Air Force has identified the gift aircraft as a VC-25B.
The two new planes are expected in 2028, under a Boeing contract that is reported to be four years behind schedule and over budget.
Qatar has described the transfer as an exchange between governments and defense ministries, not a personal gift.
Donald Trump said Qatar’s emir offered the United States a Boeing 747 after Trump asked to borrow one for temporary use as a presidential aircraft.
Trump said he accepted the plane on behalf of the United States and thanked the emir.
The US Air Force identified the donated aircraft as a VC-25B, according to two reports.
The aircraft is expected to serve as Air Force One until two new Boeing presidential planes arrive in 2028.
Qatar said the transfer was an exchange between governments and defence ministries, not a gift to an individual, and was lawful and transparent.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump said Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, offered the plane to the United States.
- What
- Qatar offered a Boeing 747 for use as a presidential aircraft. Trump said he accepted it on behalf of the United States.
- When
- Trump spoke about the offer at a rally in Arizona on October 14, 2026.
- Where
- The offer was discussed at an election rally in Bullhead City, Arizona.
- Why
- Trump said he asked to borrow the plane because the current presidential aircraft are more than 35 years old and new planes have not yet been delivered.
Donald Trump
Qatar
Nature of transfer
Donald Trump
Trump described the aircraft as a gift to the United States and said he accepted it on the country’s behalf.
Qatar
Qatar said the transfer was an exchange between governments and defence ministries, not a gift to an individual.
After Trump’s visit to Qatar, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accepted the aircraft and directed the US Air Force to upgrade it for presidential use.
Trump spoke about the aircraft offer at a rally in Bullhead City, Arizona.
Two new Boeing presidential aircraft are expected to be delivered.
- Aircraft
- Boeing 747
- US Air Force designation
- VC-25B
- Current presidential aircraft
- More than 35 years old
- Expected new aircraft delivery
- Two Boeing presidential planes in 2028
- Rally location
- Bullhead City, Arizona
3 sources
What people are saying
I called the leader of Qatar, who is a very respected, wonderful, young and stylish man.
He replied, ‘No, no. You are my friend. I am not just lending or giving you this plane; I am giving it to America. You can take it.’