Senator Chuck Schumer moves to block President Trump’s plan to accept a donated Qatari aircraft as Air Force One, citing national security risks.

Schumer Proposes Ban on Foreign-Owned Planes for Presidential Use

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has introduced legislation aimed at halting President Donald Trump’s proposed use of a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar for presidential airlift purposes. The bill would prohibit the Department of Defense from using its funds to procure, modify, or maintain any aircraft previously owned by a foreign government, entity, or representative for presidential travel.

The proposed legislation, introduced this week, specifically targets fiscal years 2025 and 2026, seeking to ensure that no Defense Department resources are directed toward making such aircraft suitable for presidential use. The measure’s intent is to bar any possibility of the Qatari-donated aircraft being assigned the call sign “Air Force One.”

“Donald Trump has shown time and again – he will sell out the American people and the Presidency if it means filling his own pockets,” Schumer said in a statement accompanying the bill. He warned that even billions in taxpayer dollars may not be sufficient to make the plane secure, adding that using a foreign-owned aircraft undermines U.S. national security.

Trump Defends Aircraft Gift as Budget-Conscious Solution

President Trump, responding to criticism on Truth Social, defended the proposal, asserting that the aircraft is not for his personal use but for the United States government. He emphasized that the plane is a free gift from Qatar in recognition of America’s longstanding military support and would serve only as a temporary solution until new presidential aircraft—already behind schedule—are delivered.

“The Boeing 747 is being given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defense, NOT TO ME!” Trump wrote. “It is a gift from a Nation, Qatar, that we have successfully defended for many years. Why should our military and therefore our taxpayers be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for FREE?”

He added, “Only a FOOL would not accept this gift on behalf of our Country.” Trump also clarified that he does not plan to use the aircraft after his presidency, noting it would eventually be housed in his presidential library.

Legislative Hurdles Remain

Despite Schumer’s push, the bill’s future remains uncertain. With Republican majorities in both chambers of Congress, the measure is unlikely to advance. Even if it were to pass both the House and Senate, President Trump could veto the bill, requiring a two-thirds majority in each chamber to override.

As the debate continues, the legislation highlights deepening divisions over executive authority, national security, and perceptions of foreign influence in U.S. policy decisions. While the Trump administration views the aircraft offer as a cost-saving measure, opponents frame it as a dangerous precedent that risks compromising security protocols.

The White House has not issued a formal comment on the proposed legislation. However, the broader implications of accepting foreign gifts for official government use are expected to fuel further discussion in the coming weeks as Congress reviews budgetary priorities and national defense allocations.