A CNN report on Monday appeared to contradict President Donald Trump’s claim that Qatar reached out to the president and offered him an Air Force One replacement as a “gift.”
Instead it was the Trump administration that first contacted Qatar about acquiring a luxury Boeing 747 by buying it, several sources, including a senior White House official, told CNN.
Impatient because of Boeing’s delayed production of new Air Force One planes, Trump enlisted Middle East envoy Steven Witkoff to gather a list of available substitutes, the White House official said.
Then Boeing gave the Pentagon a list of clients with a spare jet that could serve as the presidential aircraft ― and one of the clients was Qatar. The Pentagon offered to buy the luxury jumbo jet and Qatar was interested in selling it, the sources said.
One of the people interviewed said early talks revolved around leasing the jumbo jet, rather than purchasing it.
The report did not delve into how the “gift” offer came about.
Trump has repeatedly called it a “gift” given by Qatar, which he suggested approached him about the donation. He has pushed back against ethical concerns even from members of his own party.
A New York Times report on Monday confirmed that initial efforts involved the purchase of a jet before Trump declared on social media May 11 that Qatar would bequeath “a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE.”
The Trump administration has said the plane, which has been estimated to be worth $400 million, would be transferred to the Trump library after its temporary service.
The jet is parked at a San Antonio, Texas, airport awaiting an overhaul when the deal between the Air Force and Qatar goes through, NPR reported.
