U.S. President Donald Trump will take his first flight aboard a new Air Force One plane donated by Qatar later this week, the White House announced Monday.
The President will fly to North Dakota on Wednesday for an event commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence, a White House official told AFP.
Earlier this month, Trump praised Qatar for “being so nice and providing” the modified Boeing 747 after he unveiled the aircraft.
Trump has been intent on modernizing the presidential fleet since his first term, selecting the new plane’s red, white and blue livery himself.
The donation has sparked criticism over the ethical, constitutional and security implications of a foreign state gifting an aircraft worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
The U.S. Constitution bars officials from accepting gifts of any kind from foreign states without congressional approval, though Congress has not yet addressed this particular case.
The Trump administration says the plane has been donated directly to the Department of Defense, while also indicating it will eventually be transferred to the President’s library.
The Qatar-supplied aircraft is intended as a temporary solution until Boeing delivers two new 747‑8s for presidential use, a program that has faced delays and cost overruns.
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