Planet, a Boeing 747-8, has been called a "flying palace" in American media and can be the most expensive individual gift ever received by the American government, reports ABC News.
"So the fact that the Defense Department gets a GIFT, FREE, in the form of a 747 plane to temporarily replace the 40-year-old Air Force One, in a very public and transparent transaction, worries the corrupt Democrats so much that they insist we pay the HIGHEST PRICE for the plane, Trump writes in a post on his platform Truth Social.
The gift would be revealed in connection with Trump's trip this week, reports ABC, citing sources.
$400 million
A new plane of the current model costs around $400 million, equivalent to approximately 3.9 billion kronor, according to experts. The plane offered by the Qataris is over ten years old. It must also be equipped with extensive security upgrades before it can be used as the presidential plane Air Force One.
The plane is expected to be donated to the foundation for Trump's presidential library when he leaves office, according to two high-ranking officials for The New York Times. This could give Trump access to the plane after his presidency is over, the newspaper writes.
Qatar has tried to downplay the uproar around the plane, saying that American media reports describing the plane as a gift are "incorrect". Qatar admits that a transfer of a plane is being considered by the countries' defense departments, but that no decisions have been made.
The Constitution prohibits
The American Constitution prohibits government officials from accepting gifts "from any king, prince, or foreign state". But the White House believes that the gift is legal and not a bribe since it is not given in exchange for any specific service or action, according to sources.
Democratic congressmen have criticized the reports of the luxurious gift.
"While working families prepare for higher costs and empty shelves, Trump is still focused on enriching himself and his billionaires, writes the Democratic Party's national committee in a statement.
