The negotiations for the Qatari Boeing 747-8 jet, intended for use as a temporary Air Force One, began in early 2025, with the Trump administration initiating discussions with Qatar. According to multiple sources, the talks were prompted by the U.S. Department of Defense's need for a replacement aircraft due to delays in Boeing's delivery of new Air Force One jets, originally expected in 2024 but pushed to 2027 or later. Specifically, after Trump took office in January 2025, the Pentagon contacted Boeing, which provided a list of potential aircraft, including the Qatari 747-8. Trump tasked his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, with identifying viable planes, and negotiations with Qatar’s Ministry of Defense followed.
A claim by U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin suggested discussions started under the Biden administration in 2024, but no credible evidence supports this, and Mullin’s office did not provide substantiation when pressed. Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, described the talks as a “government-to-government” transaction, emphasizing they were under legal review and not a personal gift to Trump. The jet, previously owned by the Qatari royal family and registered as P4-HBJ, was moved to San Antonio, Texas, in March 2025, suggesting preparations for modifications may have started. No final decision was confirmed by May 2025.
