The United States formally accepts Qatar Leigh Jets as Trump for Air Force One

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accepted a luxury Boeing 747 aircraft from Qatar for President Donald Trump to be used as Air Force One, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the U.S. Department of Defense will “ensure proper safety measures for aircraft” to ensure the president's use. He added that the aircraft was “compliant with all federal rules and regulations.”

Trump defended the gift, which appeared on his recent trip to the Middle East to save on taxes.

Trump posted on his social media website on his journey: “Why should our military and our taxpayers be forced to pay hundreds of millions of dollars.”

Democrats, some Republicans have concerns

Others, however, said Trump's acceptance of the plane known as the “Palace in the Sky” was a violation of the constitutional ban on foreign gifts. Democrats are united, and even Republican allies in Congress have expressed concern.