Trump’s “bribe plane” faces rising costs and security questions

The piece questions the escalating costs and security of the new Air Force One, dubbed the “bribe plane.” After being reportedly gifted by Qatar and retrofitted, the aircraft is said to need further “maxing out” upgrades, while White House officials claim it is safe and will receive more improvements. A maiden flight generated hype, but subsequent security concerns led to grounding the plane, fueling criticism of taxpayer spending. Separately, the article notes the DOJ’s subpoenas of The New York Times journalists’ phone records as an apparent attempt to chill press coverage of the controversy.