U.S. formally accepts US$ 400 mil. luxury jet from Qatar as Air Force One

The U.S. Defense Department has accepted a four-hundred-million U.S. dollar jet from Qatar as a gift to turn into Air Force One for the American president.

Shin Se-byuck covers this event and the debate surrounding it.

The U.S. has accepted a luxury Boeing 747 jet gift from Qatar for use as Air Force One.

President Donald Trump received the 400 million U.S. dollar luxury jet during a recent visit to Qatar, and announced plans to use it for future presidential travel.

This, however, has sparked controversy in Washington, with critics raising concerns over potential impropriety and foreign influence.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement Wednesday that the plane was accepted in accordance with all federal rules and regulations.

He added that the Defense Department is working to ensure the aircraft meets the necessary security standards and mission requirements for presidential transport.

The U.S. Air Force is expected to begin modifications to the jet so it can be used as an official presidential aircraft.

While there are questions surrounding the luxury jet and the ethics of accepting such an expensive gift from a foreign government, Trump has maintained there's nothing improper.

"It's not a gift to me. It's a gift to the Department of Defense."

Qatar has also downplayed the backlash, calling it a routine government-to-government transaction.

"I see that this story is taking a different direction and is being more politicized, while it's a normal government-to-government deal."

However, CNN reported earlier this week, citing an anonymous source, that it was the Trump administration, not Qatar, that first initiated the deal.

Facing an urgent need for a new Air Force One, the administration reportedly approached Qatar to inquire about acquiring a Boeing 747, and Qatar agreed.

During his first term, President Trump had placed an order for a new presidential jet from Boeing, but with the delivery still delayed, he has repeatedly voiced frustration over the wait.

Meanwhile, the security upgrades are expected to cost over 1 billion U.S. dollars, with Boeing aiming to complete delivery of the newly configured presidential jet by 2027.

Shin Se-byuck, Arirang News.