Reworking Qatari jet will cost less than $400 million, says Air Force
It will cost less than $400 million to turn a luxury Qatari jet into President Trump's airborne command center, according to the U.S. Air Force.
Why it matters: That's far less than previous public estimates for the Air Force One conversion, which should account for counterintelligence sweeps and the installation of specialty communications gear, medical equipment, avionics and defensive countermeasures.
Driving the news: Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) pressed Air Force Secretary Troy Meink for a price tag during a House Armed Services Committee hearing last week.
"Based on the experience that we already have gone through with retrofitting planes, 747s, it's clear that this is going to be a drain on the Air Force's budget," Courtney said.
The sooner "we just sort of rip the Band-Aid off and get that information out there, it would be helpful for us in terms of deciding whether this is a smart path to go down."
Meink said some estimates floating about are inflated by training and spare-parts costs.
Zoom in: L3Harris Technologies was tapped for the modifications, CNBC reported.
The company declined to comment when Axios reached out.
Between the lines: Trump has for years made clear his desire for a new Air Force One (with a revamped paint job).
The president in May said it would be "stupid" not to accept the gift from Qatar.
But the arrangement — a sign of Washington's growing ties to the Gulf — was panned by lawmakers and influencers on both sides of the political aisle.
By the numbers: Presidents reported $3.8 million worth of gifts from foreign countries between George W. Bush's inauguration and 2023.
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Politico
15 minutes ago
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Trump revokes California's nation-leading electric vehicle mandate
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16 minutes ago
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19 US Military Members Share Thoughts On Donald Trump
Recently, we asked active and reserve US military members and veterans to share their honest thoughts on Donald Trump and the Trump administration, and they got incredibly candid. Amid Veterans Affairs layoffs, jeopardizing America's relationship with long-standing allies like Canada, and even using the military as a backdrop for Trump's political rallies, here's how veterans and US military members are responding: "Nine-year veteran here. I think Trump is using executive orders to bypass checks and balances among the three branches. Trump's actions make it look like he thinks he is above the law, which is similar to every other dictator in history. It's sad that the judicial and legislative branches don't have more backbone to defend the Constitution against this clown." —Anonymous "I served for over 23 years before retiring. I'm now realizing I may have to pick up arms again because there are too many idiots in the country and in the US military." 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I'm glad I'm at the end of my life, but I feel bad for my son and the younger generations who will suffer for Trump's megalomania. He and his puppets break the Constitution with impunity. And, as a physician, I'm appalled at RFK Jr. being the Secretary of Health." "I believe this country — effectively a plutocracy — is rapidly becoming an oligarchy. Politics aside, I'm mostly dependent on Social Security retirement, VA disability, and subsidized housing, so I'm quite apprehensive about the current administration's attack on all three of those programs. Every day, it seems like we're reverting back to the '50s." "I'm currently serving in the Army Reserve and spent 10 years on active duty. The majority of people I work with are glad Trump won, and so am I. As soldiers, we pray for peace while preparing for war. Finally, someone is in charge who will keep us out of war. 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"I'm an 80-year-old veteran, and I'm completely appalled by what Trump is committing. I am disgusted, and I feel like our democracy is on the verge of complete collapse." "Never in my life would I have thought I'd ever say the following: Trump, his entire administration, and the entire MAGA cult make me ashamed to be an American! I predict that Trump will declare himself to be the 'Leader of America' for life before the end of his current term. From an Air Force retiree, I fear another civil war is coming." "I voted for President Trump twice and have served a total of 26 years: 16 active and 10 reserve. At 69 years old, I have no regrets serving all that time or voting for him. I'd do it again, actually." —Anonymous "I'm a veteran. I voted for Trump the first time, but I didn't vote for him the last. He's doing exactly what I thought he would do: be a bully. He talks to our allies the way he should be talking to Putin and his thugs. To me, Trump is disgusting and an embarrassment to our great country. Everything he says is a lie. I don't blame our allies for fighting back; Trump is poison to good people, and I'll be glad when he disappears from office." "I'm a 23-year retiree, and I'm embarrassed that I ever served. I feel like I wasted my life in the military. Politicians only care about politicians. I've been shit on by both sides of the aisle, but Republicans have clearly painted veterans to be 'entitled' individuals. We get treated like shit under President Trump." "I'm a Cold War vet, and there is absolutely nothing that the current administration can do to convince me that they are not compromised by Russian agents. Today's military leaders need to make sure that their troops know the difference between an illegal order and a lawful one! I see no reason to trust our current political leaders." —edgynugget757 "As a retiree and veteran, I think Trump is doing a great job, and I hope he keeps it up. For those who say they took an oath to defend the Constitution from foreign and domestic enemies, where were you during the last presidency? Now that was a real clown show. The world was laughing at the United States because of the stumbling, bumbling moron. I don't know any service member who supported Joe Biden or his pathetic Vice President." "I served in the US Army for 33 years under President Reagan, all the way through President Obama. The former Soviet Union has been our enemy since the end of WWII, yet Trump gives them aid and comfort. He pardoned those who partook in an insurrection, and he totally disregards his oath to support the Constitution. I believe he will go down as one of the worst presidents the United States has ever had. I am thankful that I do not currently serve, because I would find it very difficult to obey his orders. I am sad to say that I am extremely disappointed in the American voters for electing a convicted felon, and a person so unworthy to lead this country and represent us on a world stage." "After giving the Air Force four years of my life for my country, I am now ashamed to be an American! Having turned on our most important allies and treating our fellow Americans like numbers by terminating their jobs without can anyone respect a moron like the one we have in charge now? I fear for the future of my grandchildren and can only hope we can last until he is replaced! The sooner, the better!" Lastly: "It appears Trump is consolidating power by forcing qualified people out of their positions and placing MAGA puppets in their stead. As a veteran, I've not seen anything like this in my life. I weep for my country. Trump pardoned January 6 rioters, including those convicted of violent assaults, which undermines the accountability of justice and emboldens extremists to an alarming degree. Our oath was to the Constitution — how do we defend against an unlawful order from this country's leader when he pardons those who have attacked the Capitol? Follow the money. Trump is laying waste to our country while playing golf. I can only pray that our resilience as Americans will get us through the next four years. Stand up!" —purplephone528 If you're an active duty or reserve US military member or a veteran, what are your thoughts on Trump's presidency so far? Let us know in the comments, or you can anonymously voice your thoughts using the form below.
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
GOP Megabill Boosts Wealthy Households While Hurting Poor, CBO Says
Middle-income Americans also would see gains from President Trump's agenda of tax reductions and spending cuts.
