The nation of Qatar offered the Trump administration a Boeing 747-8 for use as Air Force One. Trump called the plane a "gift," in a post on his social media site, Truth Social. A representative of the administration clarified that Qatar "has offered to donate a plane to the Department of Defense," not to Trump himself.

President Donald Trump defended Qatar gifting the U.S. a jet to use as Air Force One as the new fleet is still under construction.

Donald Trump has delivered a damning three-word remark as his trip to Saudi Arabia wrapped up this week. President Trump was in the Arab kingdom this week before travelling on to Qatar, announcing a $142 billion (£107 billion) arms deal with the Saudis alongside other investments the country’s crown prince said could eventually be worth $1 trillion.

President Trump’s confirmation that the United States may accept a presidential aircraft gifted from Qatar marked the latest escalation in his clash with Boeing.

The deepening U.S. relationship with Qatar is drawing fresh scrutiny this week as President Donald Trump began a Middle East tour amid reports that he may accept a free jet from the Qatari royal family to replace his current plane as Air Force One.