TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - United States President Donald Trump's plan to temporarily use a US$400 million luxury jet owned by the Qatari royal family as Air Force One has sparked concern among former defense officials.
They caution that the aircraft lacks the critical modifications necessary to meet the stringent standards of a U.S. presidential aircraft, posing potential national security risks.
Qatar’s Boeing 747-8, while considered suitable in terms of size and capabilities, would require extensive upgrades to align with presidential safety and communications protocols—a process expected to take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Nevertheless, Trump is reportedly pushing to have the plane ready for use by the end of this year.
"There are going to be huge security risks with this. No question about it. But Trump can choose to accept them. He's the commander in chief," said a former U.S. Air Force official, as quoted by Defense One on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
Trump referred to the jet as a “free gift” to the Department of Defense in a post on Truth Social, a platform operated by his media company, Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG). L3Harris Technologies, a Florida-based defense contractor, has been selected by the U.S. government to handle the jet’s modifications.
Some defense experts note that the upgrade work may strain personnel resources, as many of those involved in such high-level projects already hold critical responsibilities and require top-level security clearances. Officials also speculate that Trump may not wait for the full retrofitting process to be completed, meaning the jet could lack secure communication systems and thorough screening for surveillance threats.
"Treating the aircraft as safe for the commander in chief with just a few modifications is 'absurd'," said a former senior defense official. The same source emphasized that Air Force One is not merely a mode of transport, it also functions as a node in the nuclear command and control chain.
Delays in Boeing’s Air Force One and Ethical Concerns
Part of the motivation for accepting the Qatari offer appears to be frustration over delays in the Boeing-built VC-25B aircraft, the future Air Force One.
Initially slated for delivery in 2024, the aircraft’s timeline has reportedly slipped to 2028 or 2029. Boeing has indicated that delivery could be accelerated to 2027 if some requirements are eased.
In addition to the security challenges, the Qatari jet has stirred legal and ethical controversy. Democratic lawmakers and former officials argue that accepting the aircraft violates the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution, which forbids federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments.
"This is an American president flying around in a Qatari bribe that he received... it's flat-out wrong for the president to accept this anyway," said another former official.
The U.S. Air Force referred all inquiries about the matter to the White House. Trump, however, defended the decision. "This is an incredible move by Qatar," he said, adding, "Only foolish people would reject the offer."
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt responded to concerns by emphasizing that all gifts from foreign entities are accepted "in accordance with all applicable laws." She added, “President Trump's Administration is committed to full transparency.”
Senator Jack Reed, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, strongly condemned the move, calling it a "disgusting ethical violation" and a significant threat to national intelligence.
Reed said the decision reflects "a dangerous willingness to trade U.S. interests for personal gain" and added, "It is an affront to the office of the presidency and a betrayal of the trust placed in any U.S. leader to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty."
Senator Chris Murphy announced plans to block arms sales to Qatar, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would hold up Justice Department nominations until the Trump administration provides clarity on the matter.
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