The aircraft, intended for presidential transport and eventual use as part of the highly secure Air Force One fleet, has completed required modification and flight testing and is currently being painted in a new red, white and blue livery, according to an Air Force statement.“The aircraft has officially completed modification and flight testing and is being painted. The aircraft is on schedule to roll out this summer,” the statement said.

The luxury jet, reportedly valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars, was offered by Qatar in May 2025 and later accepted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to the Pentagon. Officials said the transfer complied with federal rules and regulations.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said at the time that the Defense Department would ensure the aircraft met all security and mission requirements necessary for transporting the U.S. president, including protections required for one of the world’s most sensitive military aircraft platforms.

The arrangement has triggered criticism from legal scholars and ethics experts who point to the U.S. Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which bars government officials from accepting gifts from any “King, Prince, or foreign State” without congressional consent.

Critics argue that accepting such a gift from a foreign government could create conflicts of interest or raise questions about influence over U.S. policy, particularly given the strategic importance of U.S.-Qatar relations in the Gulf region.Trump has dismissed those concerns, saying refusing the aircraft would be impractical and financially unwise for the U.S. government.

“It would be stupid not to take it,” Trump said previously, rejecting claims that the gift created an ethical problem.The decision also prompted security concerns among defense analysts, who noted that integrating a foreign-donated aircraft into the presidential fleet requires extensive inspections, retrofitting and intelligence-grade security upgrades to meet White House transport standards.

The current Air Force One fleet, based on heavily modified Boeing 747 aircraft, includes extensive classified communications systems, missile defense countermeasures and secure command capabilities designed to function during national emergencies.The addition of the Qatar-gifted aircraft comes as the U.S. government continues work on delayed next-generation presidential aircraft replacements, a process that has faced repeated cost overruns and schedule setbacks.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Washington from Phoenix, Arizona, Trump said the naval blockade on Iranian ports would remain in place regardless of whether the truce is extended. “Maybe I won’t extend it,” he said, adding that without a deal, military operations could resume.

At the same time, Trump struck an optimistic tone about ongoing diplomacy, telling reporters that developments in the Middle East were “going very well” and suggesting a resolution was close. “I think it’s going to happen,” he said, referring to a prospective agreement.

In separate remarks, Trump said there were “no sticking points” remaining in negotiations, describing a deal as “very close,” though he did not provide details on the substance of the talks.The ceasefire, which has paused hostilities between U.S. and Iranian forces, remains fragile amid continued military pressure, including the blockade targeting Iranian ports.

The outcome of negotiations in the coming days is expected to determine whether the truce evolves into a longer-term settlement or collapses, potentially triggering renewed escalation.

The announcement followed earlier remarks by Trump threatening severe action against Iran, which drew strong criticism from several Democrats and prompted renewed calls for constitutional measures to assess presidential authority.

Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said the ceasefire “changes nothing,” accusing the president of continuing to leverage threats against the Iranian people and arguing that his actions had crossed the threshold for impeachment or invocation of the 25th Amendment, which allows for transfer of power if a president is unable to govern.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham called for a measured approach, stating that Congress should undertake oversight to verify the facts. He said a formal review process similar to the Senate’s examination of the Obama-era Iran deal would be a “sound way forward.

”Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Trump’s earlier rhetoric, describing it as extreme, while acknowledging the ceasefire as a step back from escalation. He said the president appeared to be seeking an “exit ramp” following heightened tensions.

Republican Senator Kevin Cramer expressed support for Trump’s approach, praising what he described as “unwavering dedication” to national defense and framing the ceasefire within a broader “peace through strength” strategy.

Democratic Representative Yassamin Ansari said she was “momentarily relieved” by the ceasefire but reiterated concerns about Trump’s statements, calling for his removal from office through impeachment or constitutional provisions.

Republican Representative Zach Nunn welcomed the ceasefire, saying it reflected decisive presidential authority consistent with constitutional powers and the War Powers Resolution.

He added that attention should now turn to securing a lasting agreement to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

The reactions highlight deep partisan divisions in Washington over both the administration’s handling of Iran and broader questions surrounding executive authority in matters of national security.