Sources dispute Trump’s claim that Qatar offered a plane as a ‘gift’

Sources contradict Trump’s narrative about Qatar offering a plane as a ‘gift’

Contrary to President Donald Trump’s claim that Qatar offered him a Boeing 747 as a “gift,” four sources familiar with the discussions told CNN that it was actually the Trump administration that first approached Qatar about acquiring the aircraft to serve as a temporary Air Force One replacement.

After Trump took office in January, the Pentagon reached out to Boeing, which informed officials that the new presidential planes under construction wouldn’t be ready for another two years. Seeking a faster replacement, the Air Force began exploring alternative options. At the same time, Trump tasked his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, with identifying suitable planes, a senior White House official said.

Following the Pentagon’s inquiry, Boeing provided a list of clients worldwide with aircraft that could temporarily serve the president’s needs, and Qatar was among them. Pentagon officials then initiated discussions with Qatar about purchasing or leasing one of its Boeing 747s, with Qatar indicating a willingness to sell. Witkoff helped facilitate these early talks.

Initial conversations reportedly centered on leasing the plane rather than an outright purchase.

Despite this, Trump has described the deal as a “gesture” or “contribution” from Qatar’s royal family, calling it a “GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE” on his social media platform Truth Social. He said the plane would serve as a temporary Air Force One and later be donated to his presidential library, though he denied plans to fly on it after leaving office.

The potential transfer sparked political controversy ahead of Trump’s recent Middle East trip, drawing opposition from both Democrats and some Republicans citing ethical concerns. Qatar also faced scrutiny, with Democratic lawmakers threatening to block weapons sales to the Gulf nation.

Trump has defended the deal, telling Fox News last week that Boeing was “very late” delivering the new planes and that Qatar’s offer was a kind gesture from its leader.

In February, Trump toured the Qatari plane while it was parked near his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and remarked on its luxury. His communications director at the time said Trump was inspecting the “new hardware/technology.”

The Pentagon deferred questions to the White House, and CNN has reached out to the White House, Qatari embassy, and Boeing for comment.

Both Washington and Doha have emphasized that any transfer will be a formal government-to-government transaction between Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense, with full legal compliance.

Legal teams on both sides are still negotiating the details, and no final decision has been made, according to sources. While the plane’s original value was estimated around $400 million, it has since depreciated.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the potential transfer as a “donation to our country,” with Qatar’s royal family “offering to donate this plane to the United States Air Force,” pending all legal and ethical approvals.

During his trip, Trump said he “would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer,” calling it “a great gesture.”

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani declined to confirm Trump’s version of events, calling the talks “a very simple government-to-government dealing” still under legal review. He affirmed Qatar’s willingness to support the U.S. if the deal is legal but said the offer would be withdrawn if deemed otherwise.

Beyond political and legal issues, retrofitting the aircraft with required security and communications systems is a massive undertaking. Experts say it could take two years and cost multiples of the plane’s value, requiring the plane to be stripped and rebuilt with classified technology.

A former senior counterintelligence official told CNN, “I don’t see how you do this with an acceptable level of risk in a reasonable amount of time, if you can do it at all.”

The two Boeing 747-8s planned as permanent Air Force One replacements are now due for delivery in 2027—five years behind schedule but still two years earlier than Boeing’s recent estimates.

“I’m not happy with the fact that it’s taken so long,” Trump said in February. “There’s no excuse for it. I could buy one that was used and convert it. So we’re looking at other alternatives.”