Qatar has gifted a Boeing 747 aircraft valued at around $400 million to former U.S. President Donald Trump. The plane was officially accepted on Trump’s behalf by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed that the transfer followed all federal laws and guidelines and that the department will secure the plane before it is used for presidential purposes.

Trump briefly spoke about the gift, describing it as a positive gesture. He defended the acceptance of the aircraft on his social media platform after critics raised questions about the legality of such a gift. Trump argued that accepting the plane was a smart financial move and blamed political opponents for criticizing the deal instead of accepting a free replacement jet.

Reports say Trump will use the Boeing 747 until January 2029. After his term, the jet is planned to be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation. The administration completed a legal review and concluded that accepting the gift complied with federal law.

Despite this, some critics have pointed to the Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits government officials from accepting gifts from foreign states without congressional approval. Some lawmakers have also raised concerns about national security risks related to a foreign-donated aircraft being used for presidential travel.

Experts have noted that the current Air Force One planes include advanced security features such as radiation shielding, missile defense, and secure global communication systems. They warn that the donated Boeing 747 does not have these protections in its current form. New Boeing 747 aircraft generally cost around $367 million before upgrades, with VIP models exceeding $600 million depending on modifications.