Retrofitted Qatari jet takes flight as Air Force One for Trump’s trip to North Dakota
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump getting it on wednesday first trip Open a new Air Force One – A refurbished Boeing 747 worth $400 million Gifted by Qatar this embeds his personality more deeply into the institution of the American presidency.
The trademark light blue fuselage that helped Air Force One blend into the sky is now gone. The revamped jet was painted in Trump’s preferred color scheme of dark blue belly and red and gold stripes. According to tours of the plane, it has the luxury features the president believes a commander-in-chief’s entourage should have: plush carpets, reclining seats, wood paneling and the presidential seal on the seatbelts.
Trump told reporters he was proud of the luxury plane. “You can do two things: You can either do it plain or you can demonstrate it,” he said.
Jet carries him to North Dakota to see Trump Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Libraryhosted its first official visitor before its opening the country’s 250th anniversary.
The gift from the Middle Eastern power raised ethical concerns, but Trump saw the plane as a necessary replacement for the 35-year-old planes that previously carried him as president.
“This is a gift from a country that has treated us very well,” Trump said.
The new jet will only be in the country’s service temporarily, as Boeing is expected to deliver the long-delayed planes that will permanently serve as Air Force One in 2028. Republican Trump has said in the past that the Qatar plane would be included in the presidential library.
The Air Force said it had made little change to the plane’s cabin layout and spent less than $400 million on safety improvements.
