All articles tagged with #qatar donation
The centerpiece of the planned Miami presidential library is likely to be a 40-year-old Boeing VC-25A, not the newer Qatar-donated 747-8. Eric Trump confirmed the older aircraft will anchor the museum, while the fate of the $400 million Qatari jet remains undecided as it serves as a temporary presidential transport.
Trump says the Qatar-donated Air Force One replacement will be sent off for upgrades to boost security features, including missile-defense capabilities; the jet, refitted by L3Harris, serves as a temporary stand-in while Boeing's next-generation 747-8s are delayed to mid-2028, with critics questioning the gift's propriety and cost as Times reporters face subpoenas over security-feature reporting.
President Trump left Turkey aboard an older Air Force One while the Qatar-donated, retrofitted jet remained at the base, then boarded the new Boeing 747-8 in Britain for the flight home amid scrutiny over cost, security upgrades and the delayed next-generation aircraft.
The US Air Force is repainting Air Force One and other presidential aircraft in a new gold, deep red and navy blue scheme—colors associated with Trump—, and the Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8i to serve as Air Force One will receive the same livery; Biden halted a larger makeover in the past, but officials say this update won’t delay or add costs, with painting already completed on some C-32 jets.
The U.S. Air Force says the Qatari-donated Boeing 747 being converted into the next generation Air Force One (VC-25 bridge aircraft) is slated for delivery by summer 2026, though it may not be immediately flight-ready as testing and security upgrades proceed. The project, funded by the donor and costing likely under $400 million, requires stripping interiors and installing advanced communications and security gear. The deal is described as unconditional, with Boeing also updating two other 747s, but timelines have faced delays and changes, reflecting the complexity of preparing a new presidential airlift platform.
The Air Force plans to retrofit and deliver the Qatar-donated Boeing 747-style jet for use as Air Force One by summer 2026, potentially replacing aging jets, amid ethics and cost concerns raised by critics; Trump defends accepting the gift.