White House Defends Trump's Qatari Jet Security as Upgrade Costs Range From $400 Million to $1 Billion
Updated
Updated · Forbes · Jul 9
White House Defends Trump's Qatari Jet Security as Upgrade Costs Range From $400 Million to $1 Billion
3 articles · Updated · Forbes · Jul 9
Summary
Steven Cheung said the Qatari jet now used by Trump has “high-level security protocols,” after questions intensified over whether its retrofit was completed safely enough for presidential travel.
The Air Force began upgrades in September and had the plane flying within 10 months—an unusually fast timeline that experts say may be too short for missile defense, hardened wiring, midair refueling and anti-spyware work.
Cost estimates also remain disputed: Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told Congress the work would likely cost under $400 million, while aviation experts and Democratic lawmakers have put the total near $1 billion.
Those concerns sharpened after Trump flew the jet domestically and to a NATO summit in Turkey, then reportedly switched to the older Air Force One for part of the return trip amid renewed tensions with Iran.
Democrats including Elizabeth Warren argue taxpayers are funding an expensive retrofit for a plane the administration plans to donate to Trump’s library foundation in 2029, widening scrutiny beyond security to cost and ethics.