The Trump administration is preparing to accept a super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the Qatari royal family, with the aircraft to serve as the new Air Force One before being transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation, ABC News reported on May 11.

The arrangement comes as Boeing continues to face delays in delivering replacement aircraft for the current Air Force One fleet, which consists of two Boeing 747-200 jets operational since 1990. The original 2018 contract anticipated delivery by 2029, though recent efforts involving Elon Musk have moved the estimated delivery to 2027.

The gift, valued at approximately $400mn according to aviation industry experts, is expected to be announced during President Donald Trump's visit to Qatar next week on his first foreign trip of his second term.

Trump toured the aircraft, known as "a flying palace" for its opulent configuration, while it was parked at West Palm Beach International Airport in February. The 13-year-old plane will undergo modifications to meet US military specifications required for presidential transport.

Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House lawyer David Warrington concluded that the arrangement would be "legally permissible", according to sources familiar with their determination. The lawyers determined the gift does not violate laws against bribery or the Constitution's emoluments clause, which prohibits US government officials from accepting gifts from foreign states.

The Department of Justice and the White House counsel's office drafted an analysis for Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, concluding that the Department of Defence can legally accept the aircraft and later transfer it to the Trump Library.

"Because the gift is not conditioned on any official act, it does not constitute bribery," sources told ABC News regarding the legal analysis.

The United States Air Force will initially receive the plane and modify it to meet presidential transport security requirements. Aviation company L3Harris has already been commissioned to overhaul the aircraft, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Ownership will be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation no later than January 01, 2029, with the Air Force covering transfer costs.