The US Department of Defense has officially confirmed it has accepted a Boeing 747 jet from Qatar, a diplomatic gift that has stirred sharp political backlash, particularly from allies of former President Donald Trump.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that the aircraft was accepted in line with all federal laws and regulations. The aircraft, a luxury model, is not immediately ready for service. It will need substantial modifications before it can be considered for inclusion in the Air Force One fleet, the aircraft used by the sitting president.
While the White House maintains the move is legal and transparent, critics argue that the acceptance of such a high-value gift from a foreign government raises serious ethical and national security questions. Some of Trump’s prominent supporters have expressed outrage, saying the gesture sets a troubling precedent for foreign influence.
The controversy first broke last week when news of the transfer became public. Since then, lawmakers and watchdog groups have called for further scrutiny of how and why the aircraft was accepted, and what implications it may have for US-Qatar relations.
The administration has yet to provide detailed plans on how the jet will be used or when the modifications will begin. Until then, the decision remains under the microscope as critics and analysts continue to question the motivations behind the gift and its acceptance.