The United States has officially accepted a luxury Boeing 747 jet from Qatar to serve as a future Air Force One, the Pentagon confirmed Wednesday.
“The secretary of defense has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar in accordance with all federal rules and regulations,” said chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell in a statement to ABC News. He added that the Department of Defense will ensure the aircraft meets all security and mission requirements to transport President Donald Trump.
.@POTUS NUKES NBC's @PeterAlexander for asking about a jet donated to our military when confronted about evidence of persecution in South Africa:
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 21, 2025
"What are you talking about?... that's NBC trying to get off the subject... You don't have what it takes to be a reporter." pic.twitter.com/QPesmQ2BHs
Troy Meink, secretary of the Air Force, told lawmakers Tuesday that the Air Force is leading efforts to modify the jet. “The secretary of defense has directed the Air Force to basically start planning to modify the aircraft,” he said.
An Air Force spokesperson said a classified contract will be awarded for the upgrade. Boeing, meanwhile, continues work on two new presidential aircraft, a process plagued by delays and cost overruns in recent years.
