During former President Trump’s Middle East tour, both Saudi Arabia and Qatar greeted him with rare ceremonial fighter jet escorts. On Tuesday, Saudi F-15s accompanied Air Force One into Riyadh, followed by Qatari F-15s on Wednesday as Trump landed in Doha. White House official Margo Martin shared footage of the impressive displays, including a photo of a Qatari pilot flying alongside Air Force One.
Beyond the aerial show, Qatar made headlines by offering the U.S. a luxury Boeing 747-8 for temporary use as Air Force One while new models are under construction. Trump praised the gesture as a cost-saving opportunity, but critics raised concerns about national security and ethics, calling the offer a dangerous precedent for foreign influence.
The lavish receptions, including Qatar’s gift proposal, have fueled debate about diplomatic optics and the appropriateness of accepting high-value contributions from foreign governments—particularly during active presidential terms.
Trump’s tour continued Thursday with a visit to the United Arab Emirates, rounding out his trip across three key nations in the region.
