Fact Check: The Qatari government gifted a $400 million luxury jetliner to be repurposed as Air Force One, which the Pentagon accepted in February 2023.

Fact Check: "The Qatari government gifted a $400 million luxury jetliner to be repurposed as Air Force One, which the Pentagon accepted in February 2023."

What We Know

In February 2023, the Pentagon confirmed that it accepted a luxury Boeing 747 from Qatar to be used as a temporary Air Force One. This aircraft, valued between $200 million and $400 million, was reportedly a gift from the Qatari royal family, intended to serve while the U.S. awaited new 747-8 replacements from Boeing, which had been delayed for years (ABC News). The Secretary of Defense stated that the Department of Defense would ensure that the aircraft meets all security and functional requirements for presidential transport (ABC News).

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink indicated that retrofitting the aircraft to meet Air Force One standards would likely cost less than $400 million, a figure significantly lower than earlier estimates of over $1 billion (CNN). However, the acceptance of this aircraft has drawn criticism, particularly from Democratic lawmakers, who raised concerns about the ethical implications of accepting such a lavish gift from a foreign government (ABC News).

Analysis

The claim that the Qatari government gifted a $400 million luxury jetliner to be repurposed as Air Force One is partially true. While the Pentagon did accept a Boeing 747 from Qatar, the exact valuation of the jet remains somewhat ambiguous, with estimates ranging from $200 million to $400 million (ABC News). The acceptance of the jet has been characterized as a gift to the Department of Defense rather than to any individual, including former President Trump, which is a crucial distinction in the context of ethical considerations (ABC News).

The retrofitting costs, as stated by Secretary Meink, suggest that while the initial acceptance of the jet may not incur direct costs, the modifications necessary to make it suitable for presidential use will still represent a significant expenditure. The assertion that the aircraft will be used as Air Force One is accurate, but it is contingent on the completion of these modifications, which are still in the planning stages (CNN).

The sources used in this analysis are credible and come from established news organizations such as ABC News, CNN, and Reuters, which are known for their journalistic standards. However, the political context surrounding the acceptance of the jet introduces potential bias, particularly from sources that may have vested interests in the political implications of the transaction.

Conclusion

The claim that the Qatari government gifted a $400 million luxury jetliner to be repurposed as Air Force One is partially true. The Pentagon did accept a luxury jet from Qatar, which is intended to be used as a temporary Air Force One, but the valuation of the jet is not definitively set at $400 million, and the ethical implications of the gift remain a topic of debate. The costs associated with retrofitting the aircraft are expected to be significant but are projected to be less than previously estimated.

Sources

1. Pentagon accepts luxury jet from Qatar to use as Air Force One
2. Qatari jet that could be new Air Force One will 'probably' cost less
3. US accepts luxury jet from Qatar for use as Air Force One
4. The Inside Story of Trump's Search for a New Air Force One
5. US accepts $400 million Qatari luxury jet gift for use as Trump's new Air Force One
6. Air Force says Qatar jet retrofit will cost less than $400M
7. Qatari Boeing 747 change to Air Force One to cost millions: Air Force