A senior official from the White House has revealed to CNN that former President Trump assigned Steve Witkoff, his special envoy to the Middle East, the task of finding a replacement for Air Force One. This decision arose after Trump was informed that Boeing would require an additional two years to deliver new jets. Witkoff initiated talks with the Qatari government as part of this process.
Boeing is reported to have supplied the Pentagon with a list of potential clients who could assist in the search for a new aircraft, which included Qatar. The U.S. government reached out to inquire about the possibility of purchasing a luxury aircraft from the Qatari Defense Ministry, which reportedly expressed its willingness to sell. In addition to outright purchase discussions, there were also considerations regarding leasing options.
The legal negotiations concerning the aircraft’s transfer are currently still in progress, and details surrounding the transition from a potential sale to a $400 million gift remain unclear. The Trump administration has emphasized that the aircraft will not cost the U.S. government and is framed as a goodwill gesture from a foreign nation. However, this approach has triggered significant backlash from politicians across party lines, raising concerns about the implications of foreign influence and corruption.
This situation highlights ongoing complexities in international relations and defense procurement, as well as the ethical considerations that arise when foreign governments engage with U.S. officials. The discussions surrounding the aircraft could pave the way for new diplomatic relationships or tensions, depending on the outcomes of the negotiations. It remains to be seen how this will evolve and how it will affect U.S. policy moving forward.