Washington, D.C., May 13, 2025 – Former President Donald Trump praised Qatar on Monday for gifting his administration a $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 aircraft, calling it a “great gesture” and hinting he plans to use it as a temporary Air Force One. But security and defense experts warn the move could bypass critical national security protocols and pose significant risks.
The lavish aircraft, previously owned by the Qatari royal family, boasts two full bathrooms, nine lavatories, multiple lounges, a private office, and two bedrooms. Trump said he would be a “stupid person” not to accept the gift and plans to use it “for a couple of years” while awaiting the delayed delivery of the next generation of official presidential planes.
However, current and former U.S. military, intelligence, and Secret Service officials say the plane’s lack of U.S.-grade security measures makes it unsuitable for use as a presidential aircraft unless Trump waives key protective standards.
A Flying Fortress Or a Flying Risk?
The aircraft serving as Air Force One is more than a transport plane; it’s a mobile command center capable of surviving a nuclear blast, with hardened communications systems, jamming protection, and strict counterintelligence safeguards.
“This is a flying nuclear-hardened command post,” said a former U.S. official familiar with Air Force One operations. “Retrofitting a Qatari jet would mean ripping it open and rebuilding it from the frame up.”
Trump has reportedly commissioned defense contractor L3Harris to begin retrofitting the jet at a facility in San Antonio, Texas. But experts say the process could take years and cost billions well beyond the timeframe Trump has in mind.
Security Concerns and Counterintelligence Risks
Experts warn that using a jet previously operated by a foreign government, even a U.S. ally like Qatar introduces unacceptable counterintelligence risks.
“We would have to be sure nobody had planted bugs on the airplane,” said former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. “Every wire, every bolt would need inspection.”
Retired Secret Service agent Mac Plihcik echoed the concerns:
“The security of every individual component is a big deal. You’d pretty much have to take that plane down to the skeleton and rebuild it.”
Another former agent, Paul Eckloff, said accepting a foreign gift in the form of presidential transport “warrants an even harder look” than standard presidential vehicles. He warned that U.S. agencies would be forced to inspect “every inch” of the aircraft for hidden surveillance devices or vulnerabilities.
A Waiver of Standards?
Despite the red flags, Trump has the authority to waive security protocols as commander in chief, according to Kendall.
“He’s the president. If he decides to waive the requirements, that’s within his power but it’s not without consequences.”
It’s unclear how far Trump is willing to go to fast-track the aircraft’s use. The White House has declined to confirm a delivery date or whether security modifications will meet current standards.
Symbolism Over Safety?
The gesture from Qatar is seen by some as a political and symbolic win for Trump, who has long criticized the aging Air Force One fleet. The current planes date back to the 1990s, although they are fitted with advanced defensive technologies.
“You look at some of the Arab countries and the planes they have… it’s like from a different planet,” Trump said Monday, suggesting America’s presidential aircraft is outdated.
A model of the future Air Force One repainted in Trump’s preferred dark-blue scheme has become a fixture in both the Oval Office and his Mar-a-Lago estate. The real planes, however, won’t be delivered before 2027 due to production delays and cost overruns.
A Political Flashpoint
The Qatari plane is not just a matter of logistics or security it’s become another flashpoint in the debate over Trump’s governing style and his prioritization of personal branding and political optics over established protocol.
“This is about Trump wanting a shiny new toy, even if it undermines long-standing security practices,” said a former White House advisor who requested anonymity.
The Qatari jet has already been flown to the U.S. and was spotted in San Antonio, likely undergoing preparatory work. Trump has toured the plane himself and previously hinted that the U.S. needed to “catch up” with the luxury aircraft used by other nations.
Whether Trump ultimately flies aboard the Qatari gift remains to be seen. But experts say that unless extensive modifications are made or security standards are sacrificed, using it could jeopardize both presidential safety and national security.
“You don’t shortcut Air Force One,” said one retired Pentagon official. “The risks are just too high.”
