In a highly unusual diplomatic move, the royal family of Qatar is preparing to give the United States a Boeing 747-8 aircraft, which will temporarily be used as Air Force One for President Donald Trump, according to ABC News.
Sources speaking to ABC News revealed that this luxury jet—often referred to as a “flying palace”—will be officially presented to Trump during his upcoming trip to Qatar. The jet will then be transferred to the U.S. Air Force, outfitted with the necessary upgrades for presidential travel, and eventually donated to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation prior to the end of his term.
Legal experts from both the White House and the Department of Justice have reportedly determined that the acceptance of the plane complies with American law, including the Constitution’s emoluments clause, as long as it is not linked to any specific governmental action.
The aircraft is estimated to be worth about $400 million in its current condition, though it will undergo extensive modifications to align with Air Force One specifications. These upgrades will be paid for by the U.S. military. Both Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House Counsel David Warrington are said to have reviewed and approved the legality of the deal.
News of this extraordinary gift surfaces amid apparent growing tensions between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. NBC News reported that while the two leaders once had a unified stance against threats from Hamas and Iran, they’ve recently diverged in their strategies. The report also highlighted differences in opinion regarding U.S. negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program and Trump’s decision to end military actions against Houthi forces in Yemen.
Qatar is widely viewed as unfriendly toward Israel and maintains ties with several of Israel’s adversaries. This includes groups with whom the Trump administration has recently adopted a less confrontational posture, such as the Houthis and Iran.
{Matzav.com}