Regardless of previous claims from the Department of Defense that the USA has formally accepted the luxurious Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from Qatar, the USA and Qatar haven’t but finalized the small print of the settlement, that are nonetheless being reviewed by the possible authorized groups, in response to a White Home official and sources acquainted with the discussions.
A White Home official said that the White Home’s authorized crew is at present finalizing the small print of the reward, engaged on a memorandum of understanding — or MOU — between the USA and Qatar. The Washington Publish first reported the news.
The airplane from Qatar is at present in the USA, in response to sources acquainted with the matter in addition to President Donald Trump, who confirmed the airplane was right here. Nonetheless, Qatar needs to make clear the small print surrounding the switch, particularly emphasizing that the Trump administration was chargeable for initiating the discussions in regards to the donation of the luxurious jet to the U.S. authorities, sources acquainted with the negotiations stated.
“Because the President has stated, this will probably be a sovereign-to-sovereign reward to the US Air Power,” White Home spokesperson Anna Kelly stated in an announcement.
Requested in regards to the particulars of the airplane and its switch on Thursday, White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt repeated that it’s a “government-to-government reward.”
“It is a government-to-government reward switch from the Qataris to the Division of Protection to the USA Air Power. It’s now of their palms. And for additional particulars on the place that stands, I’d defer you to the Division of Protection and the USA Air Power,” Leavitt stated through the White Home press briefing.
As ABC Information first reported earlier this month, the plane is predicted to be out there to be used by Trump as the brand new Air Power One till shortly earlier than he leaves workplace, at which era the possession of the airplane is predicted to be transferred to the Trump presidential library basis, sources acquainted with the matter informed ABC Information.
President Donald Trump smiles on stage on the Al Udeid Air Base, Might 15, 2025, in Doha, Qatar.
Alex Brandon/AP
Final week, chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that the Pentagon had formally accepted the luxurious jet from Qatar.
“The secretary of protection has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar in accordance with all federal guidelines and laws,” stated Parnell, including that the Division of Protection would “work to make sure correct safety measures and functional-mission necessities are thought-about for an plane used to move the president of the USA.”
The Trump administration’s plan to just accept the luxurious jet donated by the Qatari authorities to make use of as Air Power One has raised significant security concerns, in response to intelligence consultants and authorities officers.
Democratic lawmakers have expressed issues that the airplane may pose vital safety dangers and probably grant a overseas nation entry to delicate programs and communications, elevating counterintelligence points. Conversely, Republican lawmakers have questioned the president’s resolution to just accept a present from a overseas nation, additionally elevating intelligence issues.
“Any constructing or automobile or airplane that the president is positioned is a high-value goal for overseas intelligence companies who wish to collect as a lot details about the president,” stated John Cohen, an ABC Information contributor and former performing Homeland Safety official.
For his half, Trump stated “it could be silly” to not settle for the free airplane and has known as the reward from Qatar a “very good gesture.”
“I’d by no means be one to show down that sort of a proposal,” Trump stated earlier this month. “I imply, I might be a silly particular person and say, ‘No, we do not need a free, very costly airplane.’ Nevertheless it was, I assumed it was an ideal gesture.”
