President Donald Trump has officially accepted Qatar’s Boeing 747 jet gift to be refitted as Air Force One, the Pentagon revealed.
“The Secretary of Defense has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar in accordance with all federal rules and regulations,” chief spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed to Fox News. “The Department of Defense will work to ensure proper security measures and functional-mission requirements are considered for an aircraft used to transport the President of the United States. For additional information, we refer you to the United States Air Force.”
News of the deal prompted concerns from lawmakers, both over how to retrofit a foreign nation’s plane to serve as a mobile Oval Office with the highest levels of security and over what Qatar might want from Trump in return for the gift.
Senators from both parties slammed Trump over Qatar’s $400 million jet gift. Ted Cruz warned of espionage risks; Bernie Sanders called it corrupt and unconstitutional. Rick Scott cited national security concerns. Trump dismissed criticism, calling it a “great thing” and insulted a reporter, saying, “You’re a terrible reporter.”
