We are starting to prepare a Qatari aircraft, which will be used as air -air force

It is reported to prepare for the refurbishment of the Qatar J.

The Boeing Aircraft – Estimated $ 400 million (£ 300 million) – sacrificed Qatar as an “unconditional” gift, and any necessary rethinking costs are carried by the US government.

The transaction lit criticism both from Trump’s detractors and some allies, and few called it a “bribe” from foreign power.

The White House insisted that the reception of the plane was legal and promised that it would be transferred to the Trump presidential library as soon as he resigned. The current rules believe that US officials can only accept gifts up to $ 480.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding between Qatar and the US Department of Defense, which has seen CBS, the aircraft will be donated “as it is”, and the Pentagon controls all the modifications required before it can be used as part of the air force – the official regime of the President’s air transport.

The aircraft must also undergo security check, including Sweeps for observation or espionage before it can work.

“There will be nothing about this, or it is not interpreted either as a proposal, a promise or acceptance of any form of bribery, excessive influence or corrupt practice,” the document reads. “The parties claim that donation is a bone gift.”

The news that the US was taking a katar aircraft earlier this year caused by a rigid and immediate backlash On both sides of the US political spectrum, including Trump’s conservative base.

“I think the technical term” Skeezy “,” said the daily commentator Ben Shapiro in his podcast.

“Qatar allegedly does not give the President Trump $ 400 million from the well -being of his sweet little hearts,” he said. “They are trying to stuff the money in the pockets of the completely two -party fashion.”

Laura Lumer, an influential human rights activist, affecting social media, stated that the adoption of the plane would be a “spot” of the administration.

BBC contacted the White House to comment on plans.

Currently, the presidential fleet includes two 747-200 aircraft that have been operating since 1990, Together with a set of smaller and several secret 757s.

In February, the US president said he was “not satisfied” with the manufacturer of US Boeing aircraft on two new Air Force planes, which he hoped to receive directly from the company.

At one time, he suggested that the administration could “buy a plane on its own, or anything.”

Earlier, Trump called the Qatar’s gift “a great gesture” that he would be “stupid” to refuse.

But critics claim that the donation may be unconstitutional.

California Democratic Senator Adam Shiff quotes the US Constitution section, which states that elected officials cannot accept “any gift … any kind” from a foreign government without the approval of Congress.

According to the current rules, American officials can only accept gifts that are estimated at less than $ 480 (358 pounds) – make a gift aircraft very unusual.

The White House pushed away from any proposal that the donation would be illegal.

“The legal data of this is still being developed,” said Caroly Levit’s press -secretary earlier this year. “Of course, any government donation is always fully implemented.”

Trump suggested that the plane would go to the “library” after it leaves the White House. The presidential libraries usually place the archive of documents and the Museum of Remembrance Subjects Funed Privately.

The total cost of modernization of the aircraft remains uncertain, but experts agree that it can be extremely expensive.

The modifications will include the installation of advanced safety systems, the ability to refuel in the middle of the flight and protection against electromagnetic impulses from nuclear explosions.

Defense experts suggested that modernization may face hundreds of millions – or perhaps a billion dollars.

An anonymous defense official said CBS that the funds could be redirected from the planned Sentinel system, which is focused on the creation of ground intercontinental ballistic missiles to replace the aging platforms of the Cold War era.