The Qatar-donated Boeing jet that President Trump used briefly as a temporary Air Force One may not go to his planned Miami presidential library, multiple outlets report. Eric Trump said storing the plane at the library is "not the plan at the moment," while a White House official said no final decision has been made. The government-owned aircraft is valued at about $400 million, with security retrofits likely adding hundreds of millions, and the gift prompted bipartisan legal and ethical concerns.
Future of Qatar-Donated Jet for Trump Library Turns Uncertain as Plans Shift
The jet was acquired by the U.S. government last year.
A Boeing jet donated by Qatar and briefly used by President Donald Trump as a temporary Air Force One may not be headed to the planned Trump presidential library in Miami, according to multiple reports. Eric Trump told NBC News that keeping the aircraft at the library is "not the plan at the moment," while a White House official told The New York Times that no final decision has been made.
Current Status
The aircraft was accepted by the U.S. government last year and is owned by the Department of Defense under a 1990 statute that allows the Pentagon to accept contributions for defense programs. Before the plane could be transferred or donated to any outside institution, it would have to be designated as excess property by the government.
Value and Upgrades
The jet's base value is estimated at roughly $400 million. Officials say extensive security retrofits and other modifications already made — plus any additional work required to meet presidential security standards — could add hundreds of millions of dollars to its value.
Controversy and Oversight
The acceptance of the plane from Qatar drew bipartisan criticism because it is unusual for a foreign government to provide so costly a gift for presidential use. Critics cited constitutional rules restricting federal officials from accepting major gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval. Supporters point to the 1990 law that allowed the Pentagon to accept the contribution, which is why the jet is government property rather than a personal gift to the president. Some lawmakers described the transfer as improper; a few called it a "blatant bribe."
Operational History and Concerns
President Trump briefly used the Qatari plane in early July to travel to a NATO summit in Turkey. He later returned to the United States aboard an older presidential plane after the Secret Service reportedly advised switching because the gifted jet lacked some defensive capabilities of the standard Air Force One fleet. The Qatari aircraft is currently undergoing additional upgrades while Boeing continues work on two new Air Force One planes — a program that has experienced delays and cost increases.
What Comes Next
With no final decision announced, the plane’s ultimate disposition remains unclear. Options could include keeping it in government service, transferring it to a museum or presidential library if designated excess, or using it in another official capacity — each path would involve legal review, security assessments and likely congressional attention.
Key takeaway: The jet’s future — museum display, library exhibit or continued government use — is unsettled, tied up by legal, security and political questions.
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