Sen. Mullin says Biden began talks with Qatar over backup Air Force One a year ago, defending Trump from gift controversy.

Senator Pushes Back on Emoluments Accusations

Senator Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., stated this week that negotiations for a controversial Air Force One backup aircraft, offered as a gift by Qatar, were initiated under President Joe Biden’s administration—not under President Donald Trump’s. Speaking during a CNN interview, Mullin emphasized that the year-long discussions began well before Trump took office again.

“This same 747 has been in negotiations for a year,” Mullin said. “The Biden administration is the one that started these conversations. It didn't start underneath the Trump administration—why? Because we need a back-up for Air Force One.”

He explained that the current Air Force One is approximately 40 years old, and the prior backup plane was decommissioned due to structural issues. Mullin maintained that there is a valid and strategic need for a temporary replacement aircraft.

A spokesperson for Mullin confirmed that the senator’s comments were based on a recent conversation with Qatari officials. Despite the timing of the revelation, Mullin expressed some understanding for the media’s oversight, saying he would “give the media a pass” for not previously reporting on the Biden-era origins of the deal.

Qatar and Trump Respond to Political Criticism

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani sought to downplay the controversy, stating in an interview that the aircraft was purchased from American manufacturer Boeing and characterizing criticism of the deal as “really unfair.” He rejected any suggestion that the offer was an attempt to buy influence with the U.S. government.

President Donald Trump also addressed the backlash, particularly from Democratic lawmakers like Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York, who has described the deal as a “flying grift” and questioned its constitutionality under the Emoluments Clause, which prohibits U.S. officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval.

“The Boeing 747 is being given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defense, NOT TO ME!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “It is a gift from a nation, Qatar, that we have successfully defended for many years. It will be used by our government as a temporary Air Force One, until such time as our new Boeings, which are very late on delivery, arrive.”

He also argued that the aircraft could provide a cost-effective interim solution amid delays in the delivery of new Air Force One planes. The aircraft, according to Trump and Mullin, would be received by the Pentagon—not the president personally.

Supporters of the arrangement pointed to historical examples of foreign gifts to the United States, including France’s donation of the Statue of Liberty and Russia’s post-9/11 “Teardrop Memorial.” While the Statue of Liberty was authorized by Congress, CNN’s Jake Tapper noted, the Russian memorial has been a more contentious symbol—its dedication now overshadowed by Russia’s actions in Ukraine, including the removal of President Putin’s name from the monument.

The debate continues as critics press for further scrutiny, and supporters frame the gift as a practical solution rooted in prior bipartisan practice. The ultimate fate of the aircraft and any formal governmental response remains pending.