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The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Emirates airline president reveals staggering cost to transform Qatari ‘sky Palace' into Trump's new Air Force One jet
DONALD Trump's luxury "sky Palace" gifted to him by Qatar will cost a few billion dollars, says the President of Emirates airline. The US government now faces a "Herculean task" to transform the huge 9 President Trump boards Air Force One earlier this month Credit: Reuters 9 President of Emirates airline Sir Tim Clark believes it will cost a few billion dollars to properly transform it into a replacement Air Force One Credit: Emirates 9 A look inside the lavish $400million plane shows the Boeing kitted out in gold Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight 9 President Trump, 78, sparked concerns earlier this month with his willingness to family . The giant gift, worth an estimated $400m (£300m), has raised several ethical questions about if the US leader should be allowed to accept such expensive goods from other states. But despite the controversy, Trump gladly took the 13-year-old mega jet back to Washington with him. He now plans to make it part of his Air Force One fleet alongside two other Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets. read more in Donald Trump They have been operational since 1990 but are now said to be not up to scratch compared to modern planes such as Qatar 's 747-8. In order for it to become a fully fledged member of the president's aviation arsenal however, it will need to go through some serious work. It would have to be kitted out with top-tier communications and security tech before ever ferrying around Trump. And significant retrofitting and clearance from security officials would be required. Most read in The US Sun Sir Tim, president of Emirates, told He explained to Piers: 'I think you're talking a couple of billion dollars to start with. Trump's new $400m Qatari Air Force One jet from Qatar is 'hackers dream' "Just roll back a little bit and look at what it takes for us to convert our 777s - from the old to the new - because we haven't got the Boeing's coming in at the pace we want them so we're having to reconfigure all of them." The top aviation boss said trying to fix up all the jets as an airline has been an extremely tough task. Tim admitted to "pulling his hair out" over the regulators and the tiny tweaks that have to be made to modernise a plane of that size and stature. And he believes the US government will face an even trickier - and much more expensive - battle to get the gifted plane ready for presidential trips. He said: "It's a Herculean task, make no mistake about it. "Whether President Trump will adapt fully, this present from Qatar , to an Air Force One I doubt it, but he'll certainly get a lot of it done." Aviation specialist Jeff Wise also told The Sun that he expects the Air Force One replacement to Trump's Air Force One jets currently in use come with dozens of specialised security features . 9 Donald Trump's new 'sky Palace' which he has been gifted from the Qatari government Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight 9 The jet would need to be kitted out with top-tier communications and security tech before being used as Air Force One Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight 9 The plane marks the most expensive gift ever given to a US president Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight These include armoured glass and plating, on board flares to confuse enemy missiles, mirror-ball defences and even an electric jamming system. Another unique yet needed element is an electromagnetic shield for nuclear explosions. This has to be on a presidential plane as the leader of Washington can actually launch a nuke from the aircraft. But the new Qatari jet lacks most of these security features. Instead, the It also has glittering gold-coloured furnishings and hallways that echo Trump's well-know interior design preferences. The president is believed to have spent an hour inspecting the plan when when it was parked at West Palm Beach International Airport back in February. The luxury Boeing was once even listed for a whopping $400 million, according to the Business Jet Traveler. During his first stint in office, Trump had ordered two new Air Force One jumbo jets from Boeing to replace the pair that have been in service since George H. W. Bush's presidency. But the Boeing contract has faced delays, and reports suggest the new plans would not be ready until after Trump leaves the Oval Office. Fears Trump's new Air Force One replacement is vulnerable to devastating HACKS – or worse By Chief Foreign Reporter, Katie Davis A LAVISH jumbo jet Donald Trump plans to receive from Qatar will be vulnerable to hacking, an expert has warned. The Boeing 747 - dubbed He fears Trump may bypass necessary measures to save time and money - which could therefore invite hacking or a devastating assassination attempt. Wise told The Sun: 'This Air Force One would be a major intelligence target for any adversary nation or even our allies, because allies love to spy on each other. 'The United States is being given this albatross that they are going to have to spend billions of dollars on to fix up for the personal use of Trump. 'If your job is to protect the President of the United States or if your job is to protect the secrets of the United States, then this is a massive headache for you. 'This is a plane that does not have secure communications and the anti-missiles defence systems that a normal Air Force One has. It's just wide open. 'This is an administration that is completely irresponsible in the way they use their personal devices. They're using these off-brand apps to communicate. It's just a hacker's dream.' Wise continued: 'I would say an increasing number of people would like to target Air Force One. 'America's list of enemies is growing longer and longer as we become an increasingly horrible nation, from the Houthis to the Iranians to the Russians.' 9 Trump sparked concern after he willingly accepted the plush plane from the Qatari royal family, headed by Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tanim bin-Hamad Al Thani Credit: AP 9 Air Force One is one of the most guarded and secure jets in the world Credit: AP
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Why Trump wants a $515 million airplane rife with risks
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has always had strong opinions about the planes used as Air Force One, from their price to their baby-blue color scheme. Frustrated with the growing costs and delays associated with the Boeing Co.'s development of new presidential jetliners, Mr Trump is turning to an unlikely alternative for his next ride: the Middle Eastern nation of Qatar, which has offered him a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet. The arrangement has raised numerous questions about security considerations and the ethics of accepting such a gift – even from a strategic ally. Despite those concerns, the Trump administration, on May 21, formally accepted the offer. Here's what to know. What's wrong with the current presidential planes? The president has several aircraft available for his use; 'Air Force One' is simply the call sign for whichever plane is carrying the president at the time. The current fleet includes two Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets and several smaller Boeing 757-200s typically used for shorter trips and smaller airports. The larger planes have been in service for nearly 35 years, and the Air Force has sought replacements for more than a decade. During Mr Trump's first term, the Air Force contracted with Boeing to provide two already built planes – bigger and heavier but more powerful and with a longer range than their predecessors – that would be retrofitted to serve the needs of the president. But those planes, known as VC-25Bs, are billions of dollars over budget and years behind schedule. The delays and cost overruns have occurred in part because retrofitting a jumbo jet for presidential use is no small task. A plane used by the president is sometimes called the 'Flying White House' and includes a presidential bedroom, a built-in situation room, a surgical suite, and seats for VIPs, staff and the press corps. Other equipment, to defend the plane against attacks, is classified. What is Qatar offering? The royal family of Qatar – an oil-rich monarchy on the Arabian Peninsula – is giving the US government a plane for Mr Trump's use that's been described as a 'palace in the sky'. ABC News, which first reported the planned offer, said the value of the aircraft is about $400 million (S$515 million). The 13-year-old Boeing 747-8 would have to be refitted with all the presidential accouterments at an unknown cost. The plane was previously on call for Mr Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, a member of the Qatari royal family who has served as prime minister and head of the sovereign wealth fund. According to a report from Forbes, the Thani family has been trying to sell the plane since 2020. What does Trump say? Mr Trump has repeatedly defended his decision to accept the plane. 'It's not a gift to me; it's a gift to the Department of Defense,' he told reporters at the White House on May 12. 'If we can get a 747 as a contribution to our Defense Department to use during a couple of years while they're building the other ones, I think that was a very nice gesture.' In a statement, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said accepting the gift is 'in accordance with all federal rules and regulations'. What do critics say? The arrangement has raised eyebrows from both Democrats and Republicans. 'It's not just bribery, it's premium foreign influence with extra legroom,' said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. Representative Ritchie Torres, a New York Democrat,called it 'flying grift'. Some of the fiercest criticism has come from devoted supporters. 'This is really going to be such a stain on the admin if this is true,' far-right activist Laura Loomer posted on X. 'And I say that as someone who would take a bullet for Trump.' What are the security risks of accepting a plane from Qatar? US intelligence experts have expressed concern that the plane could present opportunities for surveillance, tracking or compromising communications of the president and anyone traveling with him. 'If we had built the plane, knowing it was going to a foreign government, we would probably have bugged it,' said Mr Thad Troy, a former station chief with the Central Intelligence Agency. Indeed, part of the reason why Boeing's program is behind schedule and over budget is the complexity of building Air Force One jets in a secure environment with vetted mechanics. The plane gifted by Qatar will have to be carefully inspected for anything that would compromise its security. It will also have to be retrofitted with the physical and cybersecurity measures built into the current fleet of presidential jets. These features – many of which are classified – include a hardened frame designed to withstand evasive maneuvers, countermeasures to detect and evade missiles, and safeguards to protect electronics equipment from nuclear blasts. The Air Force has commissioned defense contractor L3Harris Technologies Inc. to do that work, the Wall Street Journal reported. 'This is why it takes so long to build Air Force One,' Mr Troy said. 'It has so many things attached to it to make the president safe.' Can the president accept personal gifts from foreign countries? The Constitution forbids anyone holding public office from accepting 'without the Consent of the Congress, any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State'. But in this case, the plane will be donated to the US Air Force, not to Mr Trump personally. What makes the gift unusual is that Mr Trump wants it to go to his presidential library after he leaves office. Donations to such libraries are largely unregulated despite decades of efforts to limit them, including from foreign donors. Mr Trump has said he doesn't intend to use the plane after his term ends. What happens to presidential planes after they're no longer needed? There is precedent for transferring former presidential planes for display at libraries and other presidential sites. A Lockheed Jetstar used by President Lyndon Johnson – sometimes referred to as 'Air Force One-Half' – is on display at the LBJ Ranch, west of Austin, Texas, which is now a national park. A Boeing 747 used from 1973 to 2001 is on display at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California. The National Archives, which operates the library, said the plane is on loan from the National Navy Aviation Museum. But those planes had outlived their useful service life when they were retired. Decommissioning a plane after less than four years would represent far greater waste given the considerable cost of making it safe and secure. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
NDTV
21-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
NDTV Explains: Donald Trump Went Plane-Shopping, Got A $200 Million "Gift"
A Qatari official told CNN the plane would be a 'gift to the Pentagon', a 'government-to-government transaction' that will then be 'donated' to Trump's presidential library. Donald Trump wanted to buy a "most impressive plane" to replace the two aging Boeing 747-200 jets that serve as Air Force One, the President of the United States' personal aircraft. But Trump, more conscious than most about how crafting public narratives underscoring American might, was also unhappy, even irked. Because the planes he had ordered from Boeing for US$ 3.9 billion in 2018, in his first term, would not be ready before 2027 at least. Advertisement - Scroll to continue This was unacceptable. "We are the United States of America... we should have the most impressive plane," he declared in West Asia in May 2025, acutely aware the one in use now "is much smaller" than the flashy new jets used by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab emirates. Qatar wanted to sell a 'flying palace' valued at around US$200 million - with uber-luxurious interiors designed by a Parisian firm, including custom-made rugs from Hong Kong and artwork by American artist Alexander Calder, whose 'Poisson volant' sold for US$30 million in 2014. The double-decker 747-800 also has a bathroom that is "almost a work of art". Supply met demand in February; the Qatari government agreed to spend nearly a million dollars to fly the plane non-stop to Trump, then at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, for a look-see. 'Palace in the sky' at Mar-a-Lago Trump, American publications reported of the plane viewing, was impressed. Sources told CNN he boasted about the opulent fittings, and seemed almost to believe the plane was already his. He even had a colour scheme picked out - red, white, and blue. Money, of course, was unlikely to ever be an obstacle. Trump would likely have welcomed a fat price tag to go with his new plane, because that would underline America's financial might. But Air Force One, the President's 'office in the sky', is built to some of the world's most exacting safety and security standards. The legend goes it can keep occupants safe from nuclear radiation and has state-of-the-art countermeasures to protect against missiles. And it can stay in the air almost indefinitely. Buying the luxurious Qatari jet would mean the US Air Force had to literally take the plane apart, strip it down to its nuts and bolts, to ensure there were no electronic bugs or software that could compromise the President's safety, as well as ensure physical integrity. After all, the US can't trust Qatar with POTUS' life, can it? "If we had built the plane... knowing it was going to a foreign government... we would probably have bugged it," Thad Troy, an ex-CIA officer serving in Cold War-era Moscow, told Bloomberg. All this, The New York Times and CNN reported, could mean Trump still would not have a new plane to fly in; retrofitting the Qatari plane to meet those standards could take two years. As a consequence, there were also concerns over the cost of the deal, particularly since the US government had already signed the nearly US$4 billion deal with Boeing. Retrofitting the Qatari jet could cost millions more, hardly an ideal state of affairs for a President who was elected on the back of promises to slash government costs and streamline operations. And then came the twist. According to the Times, back-channel talks to close this deal had been going on for weeks, led by Trump's Middle East envoy, Steven Witkoff, who had close connections to the Qatari royal family that helped him out when a New York real estate deal went sour. In fact, it appears Witkoff reached out to Qatar to ask about the plane, one of a set of two custom-made aircrafts. The first had been gifted to Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Qataris were delighted with the prospect of the sale. In fact, sources said they had always only expected to sell the plane, not give it away. All signs now pointed to the US buying the plane off Qatar. And then Trump completely changed the narrative on May 11, when he said on Truth Social the Qataris would be giving up the multi-million dollar luxury jet for as a donation to the US. 'A GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE' Trump also claimed it was, in fact, the Qatari royal family that offered the 'gift'. In Trump's hardcore business world a 'free' deal is always a good thing. He underlined that point on Truth Social, declaring, "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 (another) country..." And this would be a "very public and transparent transaction", Trump said on Truth Social as the White House insisted the deal will comply with all required legal and ethical obligations. Qatar has not responded to that claim, except to say that if the offer of the jet to Trump is deemed 'illegal' by the US it would be withdrawn. Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani told CNN it would be an 'impersonal transaction... whether on the US or Qatari side'. A Qatari official told CNN the plane would be a 'gift from the Ministry of Defence to the Pentagon', a 'government-to-government transaction' that will eventually then be 'donated' to Trump's presidential library, allowing him to continue to use it after he leaves office. But why would Qatar 'gift' the plane? What the Qatari side actually feels about this - about the potential sale of a US$200 million jet being bulldozed into a 'government-to-government gift' is anybody's guess. They have pointed to a strong relationship to downplay the 'FREE' transfer, but the truth is also that the Qatari government has just agreed a trillion-dollar broad trade economic with the US. This includes a US$96 billion-deal to buy Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft, although just when the struggling American aviation giant will clear an ever-growing backlog and get to the Qatari order is unclear. Qatar's reaction aside, Democrats and even some Republicans are distinctly unhappy, worrying as much about the propriety of the American President receiving a 'gift' of such value as the possibility it would translate to Qatari interference in US affairs, whether at home or abroad. "Nothing says 'America First' like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar," the Dems' Chuck Schumer wrote on X, "It's not just bribery, it's premium foreign influence with extra legroom." So, does Trump have a new plane? Well, no. Not yet. Pentagon sources told multiple American publications, including CNN, that US and Qatari lawyers are still figuring out how to make it okay for the President of one country to receive a multi-million gift from a foreign power, and then continue using said gift after his term ends. The groundwork, though, has been laid. Sources told ABC News, which first reported the story, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth had concluded, based on legal advice, it is 'legal for the Department of Defense to accept the gift and later turn it over to the Trump library', and that it does not violate the Constitution. Sign up to read this article FREE! Exclusive Stories: Dive into content reserved just for members. Fewer Ads: A cleaner, more enjoyable reading experience. Enhanced Interface: Tailored just for you. Join Now – It's Free!
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Fears Trump's new $400m Qatari ‘flying palace' Air Force One replacement is vulnerable to devastating HACKS
A LAVISH jumbo jet Donald Trump plans to receive from Qatar will be vulnerable to hacking, an expert has warned. The Boeing 747 - dubbed a "palace in the sky" - could even be blasted out the sky, aviation specialist Jeff Wise believes. 10 Trump's new 'palace in the sky' is vulnerable to hacking, experts say Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight 10 The lavish $400million plane could even be blasted out of the sky Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight 10 Trump sparked concern after he willingly accepted the plush plane from the Qatari royal family, headed by Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tanim bin-Hamad Al Thani (L) Credit: AP US President Trump, 78, has sparked concern with his willingness to accept the plush flying mansion - worth an estimated $400m (£300m) - from the Qatari royal family. The 13-year-old mega jet would be kitted out with top-tier communications and security tech before being used as Air Force One to ferry Trump about. It would need significant retrofitting and clearance from security officials. But plane expert Wise says it would take years and billions of dollars to reach anywhere near the level of security offered by the existing Air Force One. READ MORE WORLD NEWS TRUMP SPEAKS Donald Trump issues statement after Joe Biden revealed cancer diagnosis He fears Trump will bypass necessary measures - which could therefore invite hacking or a devastating assassination attempt. Wise told The Sun: 'This Air Force One would be a major intelligence target for any adversary nation or even our allies, because allies love to spy on each other. 'The United States is being given this albatross that they are going to have to spend billions of dollars on to fix up for the personal use of Trump. 'If your job is to protect the President of the United States or if your job is to protect the secrets of the United States, then this is a massive headache for you. 'This is a plane that does not have secure communications and the anti-missiles defence systems that a normal Air Force One has. It's just wide open. 'This is an administration that is completely irresponsible in the way they use their personal devices. They're using these off-brand apps to communicate. It's just a hacker's dream.' Donald Trump defends Qatar's gift of a $400 million plane The main aircraft used in the current Air Force One fleet includes two Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets. They have been operational since 1990 and are said to be not up to scratch compared to modern planes. But the Air Force contract with Boeing to replace those aircraft has been plagued by delays and budget overruns. The original contract was signed in 2018 - but last year Boeing predicted that the jet would not be ready until 2029. By then, Trump will have left office. Wise fears shortcuts could be used to get the jumbo jet in operation before the end of Trump's second term - which could spell disaster. He added: 'If you try to do something quickly, of course it's going to be compromised. "Of course it's not going to have the same level of capabilities. Now, what are you going to decide to cut? What are you going to decide to leave out? 'It's not realistic that you're going to make it safe in the way that an Air Force One has traditionally been safe. Everything has been traditionally done to a certain standard. 'Of course you're not going to match those standards.' 10 The jet would be kitted out with top-tier communications and security tech before being used as Air Force One Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight 10 Jeff Wise told The Sun it would take years and billions of dollars to reach to proper standards of Air Force One Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight 10 Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (R) shakes the hand of the US President Donald Trump (L) Credit: AFP Wise pointed to Iran as one example of a nation that might attempt a missile attack on the potential Air Force One. Former security advisor to Trump, John Bolton, said earlier this month he and the President are on an 'assassination list' from the seething Middle East country. It follows the assassination of military leader Qasem Soleimani in 2020, who was killed in a US airstrike ordered by Trump. Wise continued: 'I would say an increasing number of people would like to target Air Force One. 'America's list of enemies is growing longer and longer as we become an increasingly horrible nation, from the Houthis to the Iranians to the Russians.' He added: 'It's hard to parse the motives of an adversary. Would they really benefit from killing Trump? You can easily imagine it. Remember, we assassinated one of their leaders.' Wise warned rival rogue nations will already be wondering how to target the jet. He said: 'Imagine all the people who surround an airplane when it's on the tarmac at an airport. Refuelers, caterers, security etc. 10 The 13-year-old jet could be targeted by Iran, Wise suggested Credit: AFP 10 The plane marks the most expensive gift ever given to a US president Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight 'It's easy to imagine a foreign intelligence service getting their people into this crew and physically having contact with this plane, installing monitoring devices or what have you. 'So anyone who's worth their salt is going to be trying to break through what would normally be considerable defensive measures that would normally surround a plane like this.' Wise added: 'I think you're looking at this plane being bugged. I think you're potentially having listening devices, recording devices, both audio and radio frequency being installed potentially anywhere on this fairly massive airplane. 'So it would be a huge job to try to sweep it and make sure it's not compromised.' Trump insists it will benefit US taxpayers by serving as a temporary replacement for Air Force One. But the plane has raised ethical questions about what would be the most expensive gift ever received by a US President, by far. Wise has long warned of the potential for evil world leaders to target aviation to hurt the West. Earlier this month, he warned Russian war monster Vladimir Putin is plotting a deadly cyber attack that could result in planes falling out of the sky. He pointed towards a string of explosions and cyber attacks Putin has been linked with. This includes a letter bomb that was planted on a plane to Britain, but instead set fire to a DHL warehouse in Birmingham. He rocked the aviation industry in 2014 when he claimed Russia had hijacked missing plane MH370 and flew it to Kazakhstan. Just months later Russia shot down flight MH17, killing all 283 on board during a commercial flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. Russia has always denied responsibility. 10 Wise suggested that the plane could fall victim to a cyber attack Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight
The Irish Sun
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Fears Trump's new $400m Qatari ‘flying palace' Air Force One replacement is vulnerable to devastating HACKS
A LAVISH jumbo jet Donald Trump plans to receive from Qatar will be vulnerable to hacking, an expert has warned. The Boeing 747 - dubbed 10 Trump's new 'palace in the sky' is vulnerable to hacking, experts say Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight 10 The lavish $400million plane could even be blasted out of the sky Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight 10 Trump sparked concern after he willingly accepted the plush plane from the Qatari royal family, headed by Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tanim bin-Hamad Al Thani (L) Credit: AP US President Trump, 78, has sparked concern with his willingness to family . The 13-year-old mega jet would be kitted out with top-tier communications and security tech before being used as Air Force One to ferry Trump about. It would need significant retrofitting and clearance from security officials. But plane expert Wise says it would take years and billions of dollars to reach anywhere near the level of security offered by the existing Air Force One. READ MORE WORLD NEWS He fears Trump will bypass necessary measures - which could therefore invite hacking or a devastating assassination attempt. Wise told The Sun: 'This Air Force One would be a major intelligence target for any adversary nation or even our allies, because allies love to spy on each other. 'The United States is being given this albatross that they are going to have to spend billions of dollars on to fix up for the personal use of Trump. 'If your job is to protect the President of the United States or if your job is to protect the secrets of the United States, then this is a massive headache for you. Most read in The US Sun 'This is a plane that does not have secure communications and the anti-missiles defence systems that a normal Air Force One has. It's just wide open. 'This is an administration that is completely irresponsible in the way they use their personal devices. They're using these off-brand apps to communicate. It's just a hacker's dream.' Donald Trump defends Qatar's gift of a $400 million plane The main aircraft used in the current Air Force One fleet includes two Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets. They have been operational since 1990 and are said to be not up to scratch compared to modern planes. But the Air Force contract with Boeing to replace those aircraft has been plagued by delays and budget overruns. The original contract was signed in 2018 - but last year Boeing predicted that the jet would not be ready until 2029. By then, Trump will have left office. Wise fears shortcuts could be used to get the jumbo jet in operation before the end of Trump's second term - which could spell disaster. He added: 'If you try to do something quickly, of course it's going to be compromised. "Of course it's not going to have the same level of capabilities. Now, what are you going to decide to cut? What are you going to decide to leave out? 'It's not realistic that you're going to make it safe in the way that an Air Force One has traditionally been safe. Everything has been traditionally done to a certain standard. 'Of course you're not going to match those standards.' 10 The jet would be kitted out with top-tier communications and security tech before being used as Air Force One Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight 10 Jeff Wise told The Sun it would take years and billions of dollars to reach to proper standards of Air Force One Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight 10 Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (R) shakes the hand of the US President Donald Trump (L) Credit: AFP Wise pointed to Iran as one example of a nation that might attempt a missile attack on the potential Air Force One. Former security advisor to Trump, It follows the assassination of military leader Qasem Soleimani in 2020, who was killed in a US airstrike ordered by Trump. Wise continued: 'I would say an increasing number of people would like to target Air Force One. 'America's list of enemies is growing longer and longer as we become an increasingly horrible nation, from the Houthis to the Iranians to the Russians.' He added: 'It's hard to parse the motives of an adversary. Would they really benefit from killing Trump? You can easily imagine it. Remember, we assassinated one of their leaders.' Wise warned rival rogue nations will already be wondering how to target the jet. He said: 'Imagine all the people who surround an airplane when it's on the tarmac at an airport. Refuelers, caterers, security etc. 10 The 13-year-old jet could be targeted by Iran, Wise suggested Credit: AFP 10 The plane marks the most expensive gift ever given to a US president Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight 'It's easy to imagine a foreign intelligence service getting their people into this crew and physically having contact with this plane, installing monitoring devices or what have you. 'So anyone who's worth their salt is going to be trying to break through what would normally be considerable defensive measures that would normally surround a plane like this.' Wise added: 'I think you're looking at this plane being bugged. I think you're potentially having listening devices, recording devices, both audio and radio frequency being installed potentially anywhere on this fairly massive airplane. 'So it would be a huge job to try to sweep it and make sure it's not compromised.' Trump insists it will benefit US taxpayers by serving as a temporary replacement for Air Force One. But the plane has raised ethical questions about what would be the most expensive gift ever received by a US President, by far. Wise has long warned of the potential for evil world leaders to target aviation to hurt the West. Earlier this month, he warned Russian war monster Vladimir Putin is sky . He pointed towards a string of explosions and cyber attacks Putin has been linked with. This includes a letter bomb that was planted on a plane to Britain, but instead set fire to a DHL warehouse in Birmingham . He rocked the aviation industry in 2014 when he claimed Russia had hijacked missing plane MH370 and flew it to Kazakhstan. Just months later Russia shot down flight MH17, killing all 283 on board during a commercial flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. Russia has always denied responsibility. 10 Wise suggested that the plane could fall victim to a cyber attack Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight 10 Russian president Vladimir Putin could be looking to target the new jet, according to Wise Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight
