US President Trump to receive $400m luxury jumbo jet from Qatar

President Donald Trump has justified the White House's plan to acquire a luxury jumbo jet from Qatar for use as Air Force One, the official presidential aircraft of the United States.

"They're giving us a gift," Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday, adding that he would be "a stupid person" if he did not accept it.

In a previous statement a Qatari spokesperson described it as "inaccurate" to label the plane as a gift. He clarified that discussions were ongoing between the two nations regarding transfer of an aircraft for "temporary use." This development coincides with Trump's upcoming visit to Qatar, this marking the first significant foreign trip of his second term.

Speaking on Monday, Trump said that the US had helped Qatar "a lot over the years in terms of security and safety" and that he had "a lot of respect for the leadership" of the country.

He went on to say it would be a "very nice gesture" if Qatar provided the US with a Boeing jet while his government continued to wait for two new ones to be provided directly by Boeing itself. The potential value of the plane and its handling has raised legal and ethical questions among critics, notably Democratic lawmakers.

Congressman Ritchie Torres called on the Government Accountability Office to investigate, saying the plane could "constitute the most valuable gift ever conferred on a president by a foreign government". Far-right influencer Laura Loomer, a longtime Trump ally, also criticised the move. She posted to say she would "take a bullet" for the president, but that any decision to accept the jet would be "such a stain" on the administration.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Sunday that "any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws. President Trump's administration is committed to full transparency".

The White House's current fleet includes two Boeing 747-200B planes customised for presidential use with special communications equipment and features like a state room, office and conference room.

AIR FORCE ONE VC-25A (BOEING 747-200B) 29000 (MSN 28235)

These planes have been in use since 1990 and 1991. Qatar is said to be offering a version of a Boeing 747-8, a much newer model.

The plane, reported to be worth about $400m (£303m), would not be ready for use right away if provided to the US, as it would need to be retrofitted and cleared by security officials, sources told the media.

Boeing has already been contracted to directly provide the White House with two 747-8s directly, but Trump complained earlier this year that the firm was way behind schedule.

His team negotiated to receive these during his first term in office, though Boeing has cautioned that they will not be available for two or three more years. According to reports, the plane that Trump could acquire would be donated at the end of his term to his presidential library, which is a collection of artefacts related to a US leader's time in office.

Air Force One planes usually carry over to other administrations. According to the National Archives, only the presidential library for Ronald Reagan has an Air Force One jet.