Trump Boards Controversial New Air Force One: Qatar-Donated Jet Refitted at Taxpayer Expense
President Trump stepped onto the tarmac Thursday for his first official flight aboard a new Air Force One — a lavish jet donated by the government of Qatar, then refitted with American taxpayer dollars. The plane, estimated to be worth about $400 million, has sparked debate over the ethics of accepting such a gift from a foreign government, as well as concerns about potential security vulnerabilities built into the handover process.
The aircraft’s exterior marks a dramatic departure from tradition. Instead of the familiar light blue hull that has adorned presidential planes for decades, the new jet features a dark blue belly and stripes of red and gold — a color scheme strikingly similar to the private jet Trump has long used for personal travel. Inside, the cabin is outfitted with oversized tan leather seats, custom furnishings, and seatbelts embossed with the presidential seal.
“They made it appropriate for a president — that means the security and all of the different bells and whistles they put on. Very complex now, but it’s really quite something,” Trump told reporters before boarding.
The U.S. Air Force has confirmed that the cost to retrofit the donated jet with necessary security upgrades came in under $400 million, though critics question whether that figure captures the full expense of integrating foreign equipment into a fleet that carries the commander in chief. Trump is expected to use this aircraft for the next two years, until two long-delayed Boeing 747s — built entirely in the United States — are delivered and certified for presidential service.
As he prepared for a flight to Medora, North Dakota, where he was set to attend the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, Trump expressed pride in the new plane. “There’s never been a plane like it,” he said. “Frankly, we couldn’t build a plane like this because we wouldn’t be willing to spend the kind of money necessary. They spent top dollar.” The remarks underscored the unusual nature of the arrangement — a foreign government footing the bill for a plane that ultimately serves the leader of the world’s most powerful military.