Donald Trump Unveils New Air Force One Aircraft Acquired from Qatar
US President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled a replacement Air Force One aircraft that was acquired from Qatar, describing it as a 'flying White House'. The aircraft, valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, was gifted by the Gulf emirate and has raised questions regarding ethical and constitutional norms.
Speaking at a ceremony at Joint Base Andrews near Washington, Trump praised the workmanship and luxury of the plane, stating that it has been transformed into 'a flying White House at a level of luxury that nobody's ever seen before'. He thanked the Emir of Qatar for the gift.
The aircraft features leather seats, plush carpets, wooden panelling, and tan and light brown walls with gold accents. A framed print of a duck swimming in the Reflecting Pool is among the patriotic decorations. Trump claimed the plane 'flies further and faster than any Air Force One' and said it may participate in a flyover during the US Independence Day celebrations on July 4.
The previous Air Force One aircraft, heavily modified Boeing 747s, had been in service since the 1990s. The new plane has a navy blue underbelly, red stripe, and white upper body, a departure from the previous blue and white exterior. When the US president is aboard, the jet takes the call sign Air Force One.
The US government has contracted Boeing to deliver two new 747-8 aircraft for the presidential fleet, but the program has faced delays and cost overruns. The gift from Qatar has sparked debate, with some critics raising concerns about foreign influence and constitutional issues.
