Latest news with #AF1
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump continues to defend Qatar gifting US $400M jet: 'We should have the most impressive plane'
President Donald Trump continued to defend his decision to accept a $400 million jet from Qatar during an exclusive interview with Sean Hannity on Air Force One on Tuesday. Trump has received backlash for planning to accept the jumbo Boeing 747-8 jet from the Qatari royal family since news of the gift broke on Sunday. "Now, some people say, 'oh, you shouldn't accept gifts for the country.' My attitude is, why wouldn't I accept the gift? We're giving to everybody else? Why wouldn't I accept the gift?" the president said to Hannity. Trump Defends Qatar Jumbo Jet Offer As Troubled Boeing Fails To Deliver New Air Force One Fleet The luxury jet, which was offered to the United States because of delays in Boeing's production of the new Air Force One fleet, will serve as a temporary method of transportation so that the current presidential plane doesn't have to be flown. Trump has said AF1 is nearly 40 years old and looks "much less impressive" when compared to the planes in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar. Read On The Fox News App "You know, we're the United States of America. I believe that we should have the most impressive plane," Trump told Hannity. Trump Clarifies Ownership Of Aircraft In Defense Of Qatar's Gift In addition to Boeing running behind on delivering the new fleet, the jumbo jet is a gift to the Department of Defense for "a job well done" in successfully defending Qatar "for many years," Trump added on Truth Social a few hours after the interview. "Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for FREE from a country that wants to reward us for a job well done," he wrote. Trump has said the plane will be retired to the presidential library once Boeing delivers its new AF1 fleet. The president will be in Qatar on Wednesday for the next stop of his three-day visit to the Middle East, marking his first major international trip of his second term. He spent Tuesday in Saudi Arabia meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin article source: Trump continues to defend Qatar gifting US $400M jet: 'We should have the most impressive plane'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
See the US's presidential aircraft fleet that Trump wants to add to with a $400 million gift
President Trump wants to accept a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar and use it as Air Force One. The president wants to use the jet amid delays with the new replacement fleet of AF1 aircraft. Both Trump critics and some supporters opposed the potential plane deal with Qatar's royal family. President Donald Trump is considering using a Qatari Boeing 747-8 given as a gift as Air Force One while the new presidential jet faces delays. The ruling family of Qatar gifted the US president the $400 million luxury jumbo jet, and Trump said he would "never be one to turn down that kind of offer." The potential plane deal faced pushback from critics and even some Trump allies over security concerns and the legal and ethical issues associated with using a foreign-origin aircraft as Air Force One, the president's airborne command center. Besides Air Force One, the presidential fleet includes other fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft depending on the mission. Presidential aircraft fleet Air Force One is a call sign that refers to any US Air Force aircraft transporting the president, though it is commonly recognized by its blue-and-white livery. The Air Force has two "specially configured" Boeing 747-200B jets that are primarily used as Air Force One. The VC-25A aircraft is uniquely modified to serve as an airborne command-and-control center for the president, staff, and guests with the same level of safety and security as the White House. Other than the number of passengers it can carry, the main differences between the VC-25 and the standard Boeing 747 include more advanced electronic and communications equipment, a self-contained baggage loader, and the capability for in-flight refueling. The VC-25 also has a rest area and mini-galley for the aircrew, six passenger lavatories, and a compartment with medical supplies and equipment for minor in-flight emergencies. Marine One For shorter distance trips, especially to and from the White House, the president flies in Marine One, which includes military helicopters like the VH-3D Sea King and the VH-60N White Hawk. In service for nearly five decades, both military helicopters are set to be phased out and fully replaced with modernized rotary-wing aircraft, the VH-92A. The next-generation Marine One is designed to be a militarized variant of the Sikorsky VH-92 Patriot. Other aircraft The presidential fleet also includes other fixed-wing aircraft besides the modified 747. The C-32A, a modified Boeing 757-200, is better suited for smaller airports or low-profile missions. The C-40, based on the Boeing 737, can be used to fly the president but is more often used for Cabinet members or other VIP individuals. Based on General Dynamics' Gulfstream long-range business jets, the C-37 is used to transport high-ranking government and Defense Department officials for worldwide missions. 'Next Air Force One' The two planes currently being used as Air Force One have been in service for nearly four decades. They are set to be replaced by a modernized variant dubbed the "Next Air Force One." Officially designated the VC-25B, the new presidential aircraft is set to feature "electrical power upgrades, a mission communication system, a medical facility, an executive interior, a self-defense system, and autonomous ground operations capabilities," according to an Air Force release. The two future VC-25B jets were initially scheduled to be fielded in 2024, but supply chain issues and shifting requirements could postpone their delivery to 2029. Facing pressure from the White House to have the new aircraft ready before Trump leaves office in January 2029, the Air Force and Boeing are aiming to have the new aircraft delivered by 2027, according to Darlene Costello, the Air Force's principal deputy assistant secretary for acquisition, technology, and logistics. A 'security nightmare' An Air Force official told Air and Space Forces Magazine that the service is coordinating with the White House and Boeing "to further define the requirements and acceleration options while ensuring we provide a safe, secure, and reliable aircraft for the president." Trump has previously expressed his frustration with receiving the next-generation Air Force One, suggesting earlier this year that he may seek "alternatives, because it's taking Boeing too long." Despite the backlash, the president doubled down on his proposal to use the Qatari jet as Air Force One, saying he doesn't plan on using it after his term and would donate it to a future presidential library. "I could be a stupid person and say, 'No, we don't want a free, very expensive airplane,'" Trump told reporters Monday. Though free in cost, there's still a major cost to overhaul and retrofit the plane with the strict security requirements needed to serve as Air Force One. "Along with the obvious ethical and legal issues, a $400M gifted luxury jet is not Air Force One," US Rep. Joe Courtney of Connecticut wrote on X. "Retrofitting a plane from Qatar would create huge costs & a security nightmare that would impede the work underway to deliver the actual AF1 by 2027." Read the original article on Business Insider
Int'l Business Times
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Int'l Business Times
McDonald's on Wheels Welcomed Trump to Saudi Arabia Sparking Wave of Jokes: 'Rolled Out the Golden Arches'
President Donald Trump began his four-day Middle East tour on Tuesday, receiving a warm welcome from Saudi Arabian officials during his first stop that quickly went viral. Trump landed in the nation's capital, Riyadh, on Tuesday accompanied by fighter jets provided by the Saudi Arabian government. He was welcomed by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, a symbolic honor extended to the nation's allies. Saudi Arabian officials continued rolling out the red carpet by providing a McDonald's bus for Trump. It seemed photos of the president working a McDonald's drive-thru while campaigning in October 2024 and serving menu items at White House banquets throughout his first term made their way to the Middle East, and social media users could not get enough. "Yes, it's a mobile @McDonalds here in Riyadh," journalist Mike Wagenheim said in a video shared Tuesday, sparking a wave of jokes. "They pulled up the McDonald's 18 wheeler for Donny 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂," an X user wrote. "Instead of rolling out the red carpet for President Trump, the Saudi's rolled out the Golden Arches! Love it! 😂" a second added. Instead of rolling out the red carpet for President Trump, the Saudi's rolled out the Golden Arches! Love it! 😂 — Cristen Star (@Cristen_Star) May 13, 2025 "This has America written all over it! 🤣" another joked. "If the Saudis gift that to Trump it might one up the new AF1 replacement from (Qatar)," a fourth X user stated, referencing Trump recently accepting the Qatari royal family's $400 million private jet to use as Air Force One. It is unclear if President Trump had time to feast on a McDonald's meal before closing a historic $142 billion arms deal with the Saudi government, per Time Magazine. Originally published on Latin Times
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Saudi fighter jets escort Air Force One as Trump arrives to meet crown prince
Saudi Arabian fighter jets appeared to escort Air Force One as President Donald Trump arrived in the country on Tuesday for a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "Air Force One about to go wheels down in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with Saudi F-15 fighter jets bringing us in. On behalf of President Trump, THANK YOU!" White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino posted on X while sharing a video of jets flying alongside the U.S. president's plane. There were reportedly at least five jets — two jets flew on the left side of AF1 and three flew on the right. Trump Targets Massive Investments In First Middle East Trip Scavino also shared a video of the crown prince greeting Trump on a purple carpet after he landed at King Khalid International Airport. The two leaders had a coffee ceremony shortly after greeting one another. The president brought a slew of administration leaders with him, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Read On The Fox News App Trump Strains Relationship With Netanyahu As Middle East Policy Increasingly Isolates Israel Trump arrived at the Royal Court in Riyadh at around 5:30 a.m. EST where he was welcomed with a ceremony and then participated in greetings with Saudi officials and U.S. guests. Trump is expected to have lunch and meetings over a three-hour period. Trump Defends Qatar Jumbo Jet Offer As Troubled Boeing Fails To Deliver New Air Force One Fleet The president is also slated to travel to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates this article source: Saudi fighter jets escort Air Force One as Trump arrives to meet crown prince
