“The Boeing 747 is being given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defense, NOT TO ME! It is a gift from a Nation, Qatar, that we have successfully defended for many years,” Trump said in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, late on Tuesday, May 13.

The emirate, once called “a funder of terrorism” by President Trump, has spent lavishly on overhauling its global reputation.

Senate Democrats want a Defense Department watchdog to weigh in on President Donald Trump's plans to accept a $400 million luxury plane from the Qatari government to use as Air Force One, a move they believe creates numerous security and ethical issues.

Trump’s plan to accept a $400 million plane from Qatar has ignited a full-blown firestorm among Democrats in Congress

Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani will meet U.S. President Donald Trump and the emir of Qatar in Doha on Wednesday, two sources told Reuters, as his company Reliance Industries looks to foster ties with authorities in both nations.

Schumer also called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify before Congress and answer a number of questions related to the potential gift.

In May 2025, the nation of Qatar gave the Department of Defense a Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to be remodeled into a new Air Force One.

President Donald Trump said his administration's economic agenda is moving the U.S. forward in a speech delivered in Saudi Arabia as he looks to attract investment from the Middle East.