Trump Unveils $400 Million Qatari 747 as Temporary Air Force One

3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 19

$400 million Qatari-gifted 747 was presented at Joint Base Andrews as a temporary Air Force One, arriving as one of the two aging presidential 747s was retired after more than 30 years.
$1 billion in conversion work turned the jet into a bridge aircraft after delays pushed two purpose-built Boeing replacements to 2027 and 2028, with their combined cost rising from $3.7 billion to $5 billion.
Trump defended accepting the plane despite ethics and legal criticism over a gift far above the usual $50 limit, while the Pentagon said the transfer complied with federal rules.
The interim jet was fast-tracked after reliability concerns with the current fleet, including a presidential 747 that turned back from a Davos trip earlier this year over an electrical issue.
July 4 now looms as the aircraft's first major public role, with Trump saying it will lead a Washington flyover for the nation's 250th anniversary.