President Donald Trump‘s original plan to transfer the Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA) jet donated by Qatar to his presidential library as a display piece after he left office has reportedly changed.
No final decision has been made on whether the aircraft will be transferred to the planned presidential library in Miami after Trump’s term, reported The New York Times on Wednesday, citing a White House official.
The report also highlighted that Trump had considered placing one of the two older Air Force One jets at his presidential library while also accepting the Qatari aircraft, though it remains unclear whether that plan is still being pursued.
An Air Force official said no decision has been made on the future of the Qatari aircraft. Options include retaining it as a third Air Force One after Boeing delivers new presidential jets in 2028 or repurposing it for travel by other federal government officials.
Meanwhile, the President’s younger son, Eric Trump, said it is “not the plan at the moment” to move the Qatari jet to the future Trump Presidential Library in downtown Miami, according to a text message to NBC News.
White House did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comments.
Qatar Jet Upgrade Raises Concerns
Trump’s acceptance of a $400 million jet from Qatar in May 2025 had sparked security and ethical concerns over the cost and speed of retrofitting it into a presidential aircraft. Trump has said the plane was gifted to the U.S. Department of Defense, not to him personally, and that he would not use it after leaving office.
The aircraft, which has undergone costly upgrades, is scheduled for additional enhancements this fall. A previously undisclosed White House and Justice Department memo concluded that accepting the gift was legal and that the plane could later be transferred to Trump’s presidential library.
The last time an official Air Force One aircraft was retired, the Air Force approved donating the Boeing 707 used by former President Ronald Reagan to the Reagan Presidential Library in 2001. Trump officials have cited that precedent as the model for the president’s desired handling of a retired Air Force One.
In July, Trump said the Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar will be out of service for about a month for upgrades. However, defense experts said that the work could take longer, noting the aircraft likely lacks the full suite of advanced defensive systems found on the existing Air Force One fleet. The jet also drew scrutiny after Trump switched back to the older Air Force One during a trip as tensions with Iran escalated.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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