President Trump is set to make his first flight aboard the new Air Force One — an almost brand new Boeing 747-8 worth at least $400 million donated by the royal family of Qatar — during Washington’s planned July Fourth massive flyover celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
The interiors of the aircraft have been minimally changed structurally, except for presidential branding throughout, but the exterior carries a new red, white, dark blue and gold livery chosen by Trump, replacing the iconic Air Force One design used for decades.
Although the cost has not been disclosed, it has been valued at an estimated at an additional $400 million.
The luxury jet was overhauled by defense contractor L3Harris working 24-hour shifts, and retrofitted with security upgrades, secure communications and missile defenses. While any potential threats from the previously owned aircraft have been “neutralized.”
Some experts say due to the accelerated conversion the new plane may not match the full security capabilities of the current Air Force One fleet, perhaps limiting its use to domestic travel.
“This plane was transformed into a flying White House at a level of luxury that nobody’s ever seen before,” President Trump said in a speech at Joint Base Andrews on Friday where the plane was unveiled.
“The workmanship of this plane is when you see it, you won’t believe it,” Trump said in his speech.
“Actually, the quality of woods, the quality of the materials, the quality of the engines — these engines are the finest, they’re the best in the world, nothing like it.”
“It’s really an honor,” the president added. “And I want to thank the Emir of Qatar.”
Trump said the upgrade was necessary to keep pace with more modern aircraft flown by foreign leaders.
“These countries have a lot of respect for us, and yet they have a plane that’s much newer and much better. It’s a little ridiculous.”
Air Force said in a press release that the jet will begin initial commissioning flights — a “final exam” to test out the aircraft’s modifications — before it will be used to transport the president.
The new plane is considered a “bridge” or interim aircraft to fill a major gap between the two older and overworked VC-25A aircraft (747-200Bs) that have served as Air Force One since 1990, and the long-overdue and delayed replacement aircraft from Boeing; two purpose-built 747-8s (VC-25Bs) under a $3.9 billion contract signed in 2018.
One of those older models appears to have now been phased out of presidential (executive) transport service.
“Well done, good and faithful servant,” White House communications director Steven Cheung wrote on X, alongside a photo of the older plane. “The Last Ride.”
The aircraft’s acceptance sparked criticism over whether it was an inappropriate gift from a foreign government. Critics, including conservatives like me, argued that accepting such a high-value donation looked bad, posed a conflict of interest, and may be unconstitutional.
Trump says the arrangement is legal and has pledged to donate the jet to his presidential library after leaving office, prompting further questions about Trump essential taking a gift from a foreign government violating the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause. Federal law stipulates that U.S. officials can only accept gifts under $480.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
READ NEXT: Leaked Audio Exposes Top Senator’s Medical Crisis
Not to pick nits, but any vehicle that the President is aboard is “… One”. When he leaves the White House for Andrews, he is on Marine One. If he uses a VC-25, VC-32, VC-37, VC-40, or a C-51, he is on Air Force One. When President Bush flew out to the carrier, he was on Navy One. A forum that I browse through makes the same lack of distinction between the call sign and the assigned aircraft. Otherwise, your concerns about the VC-25 Bridge aircraft are well-reasoned and worthy of consideration. I would expect that this bird will be pretty quickly off the Air Force inventory after January of 2029.