President Donald Trump’s Middle East tour commenced with a controversial $400 million gift from Qatar: a Boeing 747-8 intended to serve as the new Air Force One. While Trump has embraced the offer, calling it a “great gesture,” it has faced bipartisan criticism, being labeled as a potential bribe and national security threat. Currently, the aging Air Force One fleet consists of two 747-200 jets, and although new aircraft were planned, delays have pushed their introduction to 2027 or later.
