The New York Times has revealed that renovating the $400 million Boeing 747-8 gifted to former President Donald Trump by Qatar is expected to cost nearly $1 billion. The outlet cited Air Force sources, stating that the funds for this extensive renovation were reportedly diverted from the U.S. nuclear modernization program. The jet, officially dubbed the “flying palace,” is set to undergo major upgrades, including communications, anti-missile systems, engine modifications, and the removal of suspected surveillance devices. The aircraft was transferred to the Pentagon to serve as Air Force One while new Boeing aircraft remain delayed.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Qatar’s counterpart signed an agreement for the Qatari royal family’s “unconditional donation” of the jet earlier this month. The renovation is expected to begin in the coming weeks. However, the official cost remains classified, with sources suggesting that the Pentagon concealed the $934 million transfer within the Sentinel program, which funds the overhaul of the aging Minut’eman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system. The program includes new launch facilities and communications upgrades, making the financial diversion more contentious.
Critics, including Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, have condemned the deal, accusing it of diverting nuclear modernization funds to a “vanity project” for Trump. She also raised concerns about the security implications of accepting a foreign aircraft as Air Force One. Meanwhile, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink previously estimated the cost at under $400 million, a figure that experts have dismissed as unrealistic due to the jet’s extensive requirements. Trump himself has defended the gift, stating that he would not decline such an offer, emphasizing that he “would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer.”
The controversy surrounding the jet’s acquisition and renovation has sparked bipartisan opposition. While Senator Shaheen criticized the deal from a Democratic perspective, some Republicans have also raised questions about the appropriateness of accepting a gift valued at over $400 million. The Pentagon’s decision to obscure the financial transfer within the Sentinel program has further intensified scrutiny, with lawmakers and watchdog groups demanding transparency. As the renovation progresses, the incident continues to fuel debates about the ethics of foreign gifts to the U.S. presidency and the allocation of national defense budgets.
Analysts suggest that the $934 million transfer could significantly impact the budget for the Sentinel program, potentially delaying or reducing other critical military modernization efforts. The cost of the renovation, combined with the controversy, raises broader questions about executive privilege and the use of public funds for personal or political purposes. The case underscores the complex interplay between domestic political narratives and international diplomatic gestures, highlighting ongoing tensions within the U.S. government over fiscal responsibility and national security priorities.