Presidential Aircraft

Trump Admin Tried to Get Qatar to Gift Them a Jet for Air Force One

The Trump administration, facing delays in acquiring new Air Force One planes, initiated contact with Qatar to explore purchasing a Boeing 747. This contradicts Trump’s claim that Qatar offered the plane as a gift. The Pentagon initially contacted Boeing, who suggested Qatar as a potential seller, leading to discussions about leasing or purchasing the aircraft. Despite Trump’s characterization of the deal, legal teams from both countries are still negotiating the terms, and the transaction remains uncertain.

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Trump’s Qatari 747: A $1 Billion Air Force One Nightmare?

Converting a Qatari-owned 747 into a new Air Force One would cost over $1 billion, take years, and necessitate installing numerous top-secret systems. Refurbishing the 13-year-old aircraft would exceed its current value, incurring substantial taxpayer expense. This project is considered impractical given Boeing’s ongoing efforts to replace the current Air Force One fleet, and the significant security and logistical challenges involved in modifying the Qatari jet. The project timeline might extend beyond Trump’s 2029 term, potentially requiring subsequent equipment removal.

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