Qatar responds to reports of $400m luxury jet gift to Donald Trump
May 12, 2025 01:15 AM IST
Reports claimed that the Qatari royal family is expected to present a luxury plane to Donald Trump during his upcoming visit to the country.
Qatar on Sunday acknowledged discussions with the United States for the transfer of a luxury plane to be temporarily used as President Donald Trump’s Air Force One carrier but denied reports that the jet “is being gifted” or that a final had been decision made.
US President Donald Trump disembarks from Air Force One upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, May 4, 2025, as he returns to the White House after spending the weekend in Florida.(AFP file)
Reports suggested that the US president will use the aircraft at his presidential plane until shortly before he leaves office in January 2029. The ownership will then be transferred to the foundation overseeing his yet-to-be-built presidential library.
ABC News reported that the Qatari royal family is expected to present the gift to Trump during his upcoming visit to the country. Trump’s visit also includes stops in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the first extended bilateral visit since assuming power on January 20 this year.
Reacting to the report, Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar’s media attaché, in a statement said, “Reports that a jet is being gifted by Qatar to the United States government during the upcoming visit of President Trump are inaccurate.”
“The possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is currently under consideration between Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense. But the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments, and no decision has been made,” the statement said.
