Trump to Make First Flight on Qatar-Gifted Air Force One Jet

US President Donald Trump is set to make his first flight aboard a new Air Force One aircraft gifted by Qatar later this week, according to the White House. A White House official told AFP that Trump will travel on the modified Boeing 747 to North Dakota on Wednesday for an event marking the 250th anniversary of US independence.

The aircraft, which previously served Qatar’s head of state, was unveiled earlier this month. Trump praised Qatar for providing the jet and has long advocated replacing the aging Air Force One fleet, a priority dating back to his first term. He also selected the aircraft’s new red, white, and blue exterior design.

The gift has drawn criticism from lawmakers and ethics experts, who have raised concerns over its constitutional, ethical, and security implications. Critics point to the US Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officeholders from accepting gifts from foreign states without congressional approval, fuel debate over the legality and propriety of accepting the aircraft.