The Trump administration is set to receive a luxury Boeing 747-8 as a donation from Qatar. This plane will be modified to serve as Air Force One and then donated to President Trump's presidential library upon leaving office. The plane's estimated value is around $400 million.
The plan raises ethical questions due to the plane's significant value and its intended use by Trump after his presidency. This has led to much discussion about the implications and whether this is an appropriate gift for a president to accept. It is also suggested that using this plane after his presidency would be against the spirit if not the letter of the emoluments clause.
The Qatari-owned 747, over a decade old, was toured by Trump in February. It's to be retrofitted by L3Harris, a military contractor, with completion anticipated by year's end. The Air Force's involvement is dependent on the acceptance of the plane. The entire process, including upgrades, is expected to take years.
Government lawyers have approved the plan, believing it avoids violating the emoluments clause of the Constitution. The initial suggestion to directly donate it to the Trump library was rejected due to possible emoluments clause violations. The current method is modeled after President Reagan's library receiving his retired Air Force One.
This information comes from a senior official with direct knowledge of the matter, as reported by The New York Times and further supported by comments from a Defense Department official who spoke anonymously.