US begins preparing Qatari jet to be used as Air Force One

Preparations are being made to renovate the Qatari Jumbo plane, which is expected to operate as the first air forces of President Donald Trump, CBS, the American news partner in the BBC.

Boeing plane – $ 400 million (300 million pounds) – is donated by Qatar as a “unconditional” gift, with any necessary updating costs borne by the US government.

The deal has ignited criticism from Trump’s critics and some allies, as a few of them described it as a “bribe” of a foreign power.

The White House insisted on taking the plane legal, and pledged to be donated to the Trump Presidential Library as soon as he left his post. Current rules indicate that US officials can only accept gifts less than $ 480.

According to the memorandum of understanding between Qatar and the US Defense Department that CBS sees, the plane will be donated “as it is”, while overseeing all the necessary adjustments before using it as part of the Air Force – the official head of the air transport.

The plane will also need to undergo security inspections, including surveying or spying devices, before you can work.

The document says: “There is nothing in this memorandum of understanding, or it must be interpreted or interpreted as a presentation, promise or acceptance of any form of bribery, unjustified effect or corrupt practice.” “The parties confirm that donation is a bone gift.”

News that the United States was accepting the Qatari plane earlier this year Effect violent and immediate reactions On both sides of the American political spectrum – including from the Trump preservation base.

“I think the technical term is” Ske “,” said Bin Shapiro, conservative in the podcast.

“Qatar does not give President Trump a plane of $ 400 million of goodness from their sweet, sweet hearts,” he said. “They are trying to put money in pockets in a way of two parts completely.”

Laura Lumer, an influential right -wing social media, said that accepting the plane would be a “stigma” on the administration.

BBC called the White House to comment on the plans.

The current presidential fleet includes two of 747-200 aircraft that have been operated since 1990, Along with a group of 757 smaller and somewhat secret.

In February, the US president said he was “unhappy” with the American Boeing aircraft manufacturer on a new Air Force One plane that he was expected to receive directly from the company.

At that time, he suggested that the administration can “buy a plane or get a plane, or something.”

Trump has previously described the gift from Qatar as a “great gesture” as “stupid” for his refusal.

But critics argue that donation may be unconstitutional.

California’s democratic Senator Adam Chef transferred from a section of the United States constitution stating that elected officials cannot accept “any gift … of any kind, whatever” of a foreign government without approval from Congress.

According to the current rules, American officials can only accept gifts valued at less than $ 480 (358 pounds) – making the plane’s gift very unusual.

The White House has paid any suggestion that donation will be illegal.

“The legal details about this are still being resolved,” said journalist Caroline Levitt, earlier this year. “Of course, any government is always donated to completely comply with the law.”

Trump suggested that the plane go to the “library” after he left the White House. Presidential libraries usually include a document archive and a private sector memorial.

The total cost of re -modification of the plane is still unconfirmed, but experts agree that it may be very expensive.

The adjustments will include the installation of advanced security systems, the ability to refuel in the middle of the trip, and the protection of electromagnetic impulses from nuclear explosions.

Defense experts suggested that modernization could collide with hundreds of millions – or perhaps one billion dollars.

An unknown defense official told CBS that money can be re -directed from the excessive guard system, which focuses on the creation of continental ballistic balls on the basis of land to replace the Cold War platforms.