President Donald Trump evaluated on the 12th (local time) that the Qatar royal family’s plan to gift a $400 million (approximately 560 billion won) Boeing 747-8 for presidential use is 'a very good gesture.'
According to U.S. CNBC, President Trump said during a press conference held at the White House that day, 'If the Qatar royal family donates a Boeing 747-8 to the Ministry of National Defense, I think it’s a really good proposal.'
President Trump stated that Boeing's production delays are the root cause. He mentioned, 'It’s disappointing that it takes so long for Boeing to make the new Air Force One (presidential aircraft),' adding, 'We are operating a 40-year-old Air Force One.'
During his first term, President Trump signed a contract with Boeing to deliver two 747-8s as presidential aircraft. However, the delivery of one has been delayed from 2024 to 2027, and the other is expected to be received in 2028.
President Trump will begin a trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) starting on the 13th. However, a White House official noted that he will not receive the Boeing 747-8 during this trip.
President Trump also mentioned that, seemingly conscious of the controversy surrounding expensive gifts, he will not use the Boeing 747-8 after leaving office and will display it in his presidential library.