Several top Republicans in Congress have expressed concerns about the 747 deal, including that the plane would be a security risk.

Article I includes a ban on anyone serving in government accepting “any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State” unless Congress approves. Article II says, in part, that the president cannot receive any emolument from a U.S. state.

President Donald Trump took time out during his Middle East trip Tuesday to make the case for accepting the gift of a luxury jet from the government of Qatar as the offer faces mounting criticism from members of his own party.

Trump previously attacked foreign and even Qatari donations to the Clinton Foundation. Now he wants to accept the biggest gift of all.

Qatari officials said the plane was being given by the Qatari Ministry of Defense to the Pentagon but Trump said the Boeing 747-8 jet will be used as Air Force One—the official presidential plane and according to multiple reports, after he leaves office, it will be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation.

The Constitution bars federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign states without the consent of Congress.

In May 2025, the nation of Qatar gave the Department of Defense a Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to be remodeled into a new Air Force One.