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The Independent
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Trump gripes again about AF1 as he departs Middle East: ‘I leave now and get on a 42 year-old Boeing - but new ones are coming'
Donald Trump made another crack about Air Force One on Friday, complaining about the plane's age as he wrapped up his four-day tour of the Middle East. The president's trip has been overshaded by his decision to accept a $400m Boeing 747-8 jet gifted by Qatar 's royal family. After walking a blue carpet along the tarmac at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Trump turned to reporters and complained: 'I leave now and get into a 42-year-old Boeing. The new ones are coming, new ones are coming.' He then walked up the stairway, delivered one of his trademark fist pumps and entered the cabin to begin the long return journey to Washington DC. The remark follows a week of ethics complaints about the president's acceptance of the 'flying palace' presented to him by Qatar, which Trump hopes to use as a replacement for the current presidential plane, a model he believes is outmoded. The president dismissed the unease surrounding the gesture by saying that only a 'stupid person' would have rejected it. 'Why wouldn't I accept a gift?' he asked Fox News host Sean Hannity incredulously during an interview conducted aboard Air Force One this week. 'The plane that you are on right now is almost 40 years old,' he griped, a claim he added another three years to in his comments on Friday. "When you land and you see Saudi Arabia, and you see UAE, and you see Qatar and they have these brand new Boeing 747s mostly. And you see ours next to it, this is like a totally different plane. It's much smaller. It's much less impressive. 'We're the United States of America – I believe we should have the most impressive plane.' Trump's own Department of Justice lawyers have meanwhile swiftly ruled that accepting the gift would break no laws. Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House lawyer David Warrington said the donation of the aircraft would be 'legally permissible' given that its ownership would be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation before the end of his term. But Democratic New York Rep. Ritchie Torres, for one, has expressed outrage and written to the Government Accountability Office to blast the jet as a 'flying grift,' arguing that it violates the U.S. Constitution's emoluments clause. Columbia Law School Professor Richard Briffault meanwhile told NPR that if Trump retains ownership of the plane after leaving office, in spite of his claim on Truth Social that it will ultimately be given to the Department of Defense, 'then it's not really a gift to the United States at all' and instead amounts to a 'pretty textbook case of a violation of the emoluments clause.' Professor Briffault further warned that accepting any present leaves the recipient beholden to the gift-giver, an argument also made by Trump nemesis Hillary Clinton, saying that gestures like Qatar's are 'designed to create good feelings for the recipient and to get some kind of reciprocity.' Another cause of concern is the eye-watering cost of retrofitting the luxury jet to make it an acceptable substitute for the presidential plane. Experts warn that it would take several years and require billions of dollars in further investment from the American taxpayer to ensure it meets the necessary standards to replace Air Force One. It would require secure communications, electromagnetic shielding, and in-flight refueling capabilities, to name just three necessary upgrades. put the bill at $1bn, more than twice the plane's worth.
Zawya
15-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Trump's Qatari 747 may need fighter escorts to serve as Air Force One
A Boeing 747 jet offered to President Donald Trump by Qatar as a temporary flying White House might need fighter jet escorts and could be restricted to flying inside the U.S. unless significant costly security upgrades were made, aviation experts and industry sources said. Even if numerous improvements to the plane's communications and defenses are made over the coming months once any deal is completed, the military escort and domestic restriction could remain in place, the experts and sources said. As the commander-in-chief, however, Trump could waive any and all requirements like these, a former Air Force official noted. Retrofitting the luxury plane offered by Qatar's royal family would require security upgrades, communications improvements to prevent spies from listening in and the ability to fend off incoming missiles, experts said. The costs were not known, but could be significant given Boeing's current effort to build two new Air Force One planes exceeds $5 billion. The Air Force referred a request for comment to the White House, which did not have an immediate comment. There are serious questions about whether any combination of fighter escorts and short-term upgrades would be enough to provide sufficient protection for the president. "I don't think it's possible," said Mark Cancian, a senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Defense and Security Department, referring to short timeline for the deep modifications. "Air Force One is designed to be survivable in all kinds of environments, including a nuclear war," he added, noting the jet's ability to tolerate the electromagnetic pulse from a nuclear blast is embedded in the jet's wiring and systems from the bottom up. "That's not something you add on." Trump has dismissed criticism of his widely-reported plan to accept the 13-year-old airplane with a $400 million list price, saying it would be "stupid" to turn down the offer. Trump also called it a practical decision, and that he was disappointed Boeing had taken so long to deliver on already delayed contracts for the two new Air Force One planes that he renegotiated during his first term. "If he wants it, and he says 'I'll accept any risk associated with not having all the stuff the real Air Force One has,' he can do that," the former Air Force official said. While Air Force One does not normally fly with fighter escorts, the new plane may need them to defend against missile threats, the former official added. An escort could be necessary because the Qatari plane "wouldn't have the electronic warfare and missile warning systems and whatever else you associate with survivability on Air Force One," said Richard Aboulafia, managing director of consulting firm AeroDynamic Advisory. He added international travel may be off-limits because "you can't guarantee the level of security in international airspace or airports." Air Force One almost never requires fighter escorts because it is equipped with a range of advanced defensive systems including flares, electronic jammers and infrared detection systems that protect against missile strikes. Escorts sometimes fly with the jet when it is overseas, or in moments of national security risk such as after the attacks of September 11, 2001. The government has tapped L3Harris Technologies to overhaul the 747 as it waits for delivery of the two delayed new Air Force One aircraft from Boeing. Other upgrades could include a communications suite that can handle sensitive White House and aircraft crew functions, and changing the interior so it can support Trump, his staff, the Secret Service and the press, said Douglas Birkey, executive director of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. Under any scenario, the U.S. military would need to install new security features and potentially new wiring before the plane was used to transport Trump, experts say. DELAYS First mooted a decade ago, the Air Force One program has faced chronic delays, with the delivery of two new 747-8s slated for 2027, three years behind the previous schedule. Boeing in 2018 received a $3.9 billion contract to build the two planes for use as Air Force One and costs have since risen to at least $4.7 billion. Boeing has also posted $2.4 billion of charges from the project. Those jets were themselves originally intended for a foreign airline, Russian carrier Transaero, which went bankrupt in 2015. Using existing airframes was meant to reduce costs but Boeing has since taken billions of dollars in charges because the costs to retrofit the plane have far exceeded the contract price. In February, Trump toured a Boeing 747-8 built for Qatar to highlight the delays. The White House said at the time that the visit allowed him to "check out the new hardware/technology," without elaborating. The aircraft was originally operated by state-owned VIP airline Qatar Amiri flight, which performs private flights for members of the country's ruling family and other government officials, according to specialist databases. It was reported sold in 2023 to Global Jet Isle of Man, a private charter firm that has declined to comment on the jet. There are also questions over the $400 million value widely placed on the jet, based on new prices for the aircraft, which halted production in 2023. Analysts Cirium said a second-hand 747-8 might fetch a quarter of that, while a trader in VIP jets said the bespoke interior would be worth much more than the plane itself. (Reporting by Mike Stone and David Shepardson in Washington, Tim Hepher in Paris and Paul Sandle in London; Editing by Chris Sanders and Jamie Freed)
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Inside Trump's $400m 'palace in the sky' jumbo jet gift from Qatar
The $400million jumbo jet the Trump Administration will reportedly accept as a gift from Qatar is nothing short of a luxury palace in the sky. The private Boeing 747 comes with a master bedroom, a guest bedroom, two full bathrooms with showers, nine smaller lavatories, five small kitchens, and a private office. Qatar 's royal family has offered President Donald Trump the luxury private jet to use as a replacement for the current Air Force One plane. Although the plane is over 10 years old, the fully-furnished flying mansion comes with oversized couches and recliners, wood paneling, and more than 40 televisions, including 10 big-screen TVs. The plane can hold approximately 90 passengers and 14 crew members and was previously used by a division of Qatar Airways that serves the nation's royal families and other government officials. Trump has been waiting for Boeing to complete the next generation of presidential planes, but the beleaguered aerospace company has fallen behind schedule and is already over budget. On Truth Social Trump stated that he plans to accept the lavish gift from the Qatari government saying that the Boeing 747-8 airliner will 'temporarily' serve as the interim Air Force One until the new American jets are completed. Unlike your everyday commercial 747 which holds over 460 people, this jumbo jet only has five rows of standard business class seating. The rest of the massive plane has been renovated to fit five lounges spread over the aircraft's two main decks, which are connected by a luxurious staircase. It aircraft also comes with all the modern air travel accommodations such as live TV and radio access, 13 Blu-ray players, and internet connectivity. The plane is considered one of the most lavish in the world, according to Business Jet Traveler. The interior of the plane, decorated by famed French interior design firm Alberto Pinto Cabinet, is filled with ornate suites, staterooms, lounges, and dining rooms. Nearly every room on board boasts plush carpeting, leather couches, and golden furnishes. The conference room has gorgeous tan and cream chairs with deep adjustable cushions. The corridors of the plane are a reflective, gold color which are reminiscent of Trump's design choices at his own property Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan. Once the 747-8 is handed over to the U.S. Department Of Defense it'll undergo a major overhaul to make sure it is properly equipped for Trump. Defense contractor L3Harris has been picked to lead the jumbo jet's refit, adding in the required security and communication features for Air Force One. L3Harris, while not necessarily a household name like Boeing, does have the distinction of being the sixth-largest defense contractor in the U.S.. Once President Trump begins using the new plane, it'll become the longest passenger jet ever used as Air Force One, measuring in at 250 feet long. The current presidential plane has been in use since the 1990s, when George W Bush was president. The new model from Boeing was scheduled to be completed in 2024, but delays have reportedly seen its debut pushed back to 2027. Boeing had been tapped in 2018 during Trump's first term to deliver a new pair of state-of-the-art planes to replace the current ones which have been in service for nearly 40 years. The company has fallen so behind on the six-year, $3.9billion project that there are now fears it won't be completed until after Trump leaves office in 2028. A series of supplier and engineering snags has caused the project to go billions over budget and take several years longer than promised. Behind the scenes it appears Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg's visit to the White House on April 18 did little to smooth things over. Trump's frustration with the project eventually led him to select L3Harris to refit the $400million gift from Qatar. The advanced communications and defense systems are needed for the aircraft to ensure the president and his team are prepared in case of an emergency. The upgrades will give the president the ability to have a mobile command center in the sky so he can make crucial decisions in event that the U.S. were under attack. It'll even give the president some protection against nuclear shockwaves in the event of an all-out world war. AMAC Aerospace, a Swiss-based company specializing in aircraft maintenance and refurbishments, spent over two years turning the 747-8 into a flying palace. The company installed all the luxury features into the plane and released a detailed summary of their work in 2020, when the Boeing 747 went up for sale. Although the luxury aircraft has spent the last decade servicing Qatari elites it is actually returning home as the plane itself was built by Boeing in their Washington state facility. The new plane also flies farther and faster than the current Air Force One, being able to travel up to 7,730 miles at a top speed of 660 mph. The current Air Force One has a range of 6,800 nautical miles and can reach 644 mph.
Times of Oman
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
"Only a fool would not accept...": Trump on Qatar's gift of Boeing 747
Washington DC: Following reports of Qatar's gifting of a luxury Boeing 747-8 to the US, President Donald Trump emphasised that the aircraft will be used temporarily until the new Boeing planes arrive, highlighting the cost savings of hundreds of millions of dollars. Defending his decision, Trump emphasised that accepting the gift would save hundreds of millions of dollars, which would instead be spent to "Make America Great Again." Trump further said that it would be foolish not to accept this gift on behalf of Qatar. Sharing a post on social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, "The Boeing 747 is being given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defence, NOT TO ME! It is a gift from a nation, Qatar, that we have successfully defended for many years. It will be used by our Government as a temporary Air Force One, until such time as our new Boeings, which are very late on delivery, arrive." "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. This big savings will be spent, instead, to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Only a fool would not accept this gift on behalf of our country. Thank you for your attention to this matter," the post added. According to The Hill, the value of the plane is estimated at USD 400 million, which Qatar's royal family had offered as a gift to the United States. Trump had earlier argued that only a "stupid person" would not accept the gift. Earlier on Monday, Trump on Truth Social had said, "So the fact that the Defense Department is getting a gift, free of charge, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40 year old Air Force One, temporarily, in a very public and transparent transaction, so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, top dollar, for the plane. Anybody can do that! The Dems are World Class Losers!!! MAGA." White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday had confirmed that the legal details regarding the acceptance of a Boeing 747-8 jet as a gift from the Qatari royal family to serve as Air Force One were being finalised. Leavitt emphasised that any donation to the government would be done in full compliance with the law.
Irish Daily Star
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Star
13 of the most expensive, over-the-top foreign gifts Trump has received from world leaders
President Donald Trump has received some serious criticism over the last few days for allegedly accepting a $400 million plane from Qatar. President Donald Trump has received some serious criticism over the last few days for allegedly accepting a $400 million plane from Qatar. The alleged "gift" comes after the president expressed his annoyance that Boeing has failed to deliver a brand new Air Force One after several delays. Trump, who once bashed the nation in 2017 for allegedly "funding terrorists," is set to take possession of the plane during his trip to the Middle East this coming week. Previous reports indicate that Trump also allegedly toured a Boeing 748 owned by the Qatar Royal Family earlier this year at Miami International Airport. The plane was a 12-year-old model that had previously served the Qatar royal family and then was operated by a company in the Isle of Man, according to two aviation websites. However, this is not the first incredibly expensive gift that Trump has received from other world leaders. 85-Piece Mar-a-Lago Porcelain Dinnerware Set President Xi Jinping of China reportedly gifted the Trump family a porcelain dinner set during a 2017 visit to Mar-a-Lago in Florida. It was reported that the 85-piece dinner set is valued at a whopping $16.250. It was reported that the gift also featured images of Mar-a-Lago's pink exterior. Ruby and Emerald Pendant Necklace Diamonds might be a girl's best friend, but this ruby and emerald pendant, which was gifted to the U.S. president by Saudi Arabia's King Salman, is surely considered to be beyond a normal gift. Priced at an eyewatering $6,400, the pendant was given to Trump in 2017. It was reported that the pendant now resides in the National Archives. Gold-Plated Fighter Jet Model While Pendants and dinnerware might be a nice touch to show off, nothing screams "America" quite like having a gold-plated fighter jet to show off. As you may have guessed, Trump received one such model from Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The model, priced at $4,850, comes with fully loaded missiles and rockets. Trump received the gift to celebrate Bahrain's close military ties with the United States, especially its role in hosting the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet. Bronze Oryx Statue Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed of Abu Dhabi reportedly gifted Trump a bronze sculpture featuring three oryx, valued at $3,700 and made by William & Son of London. The animal, which is native to Africa and the Middle East, has long been associated with the region and is often used in art and official symbolism. It is unknown why the crown prince gave Trump the statute. However, it joins the long list of expensive gifts given to Trump. Personalized Book of Psalms While Trump has always touted his religious beliefs, the president was reportedly given his own book of Psalms by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz when he visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The book is reportedly valued at $4,500. Produced by The Jerusalem Art Binder, the book was made for Trump as he was the first sitting president to make the journey. So the gift served both as a formal gesture and a record of that moment. Gold and Diamond Necklace In addition to the personalized book of Psalms, Trump also received a $5,800 gold and diamond necklace from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The gorgeous piece of jewelry, which now also resides at the National Archives, was presented in a cream box marked with gold symbols. Mother-of-Pearl Nativity Scene During his time as president, Trump received numerous religious gifts, including an incredible mother-of-pearl set depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. The set was reportedly a gift from the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III. Each of the pieces measures about 24.5 inches and features carved figures gathered under a shooting star. Neo-Byzantine Nativity Scene and Mother-of-Pearl Portrait Perhaps one of the greatest religious gifts Trump has received was theNeo-Byzantine Nativity Scene and Mother-of-Pearl Portrait from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The portrait was presented to Trump when he and his wife, Melania, visited the country. The painting was crafted on wood and framed in gilt silver with deep green and cream accents. In addition, the world leader also gave the Trumps a portrait of Melania printed on mother-of-pearl panels and framed with colorful inlays. Mont Blanc Writing Set While a picture might be worth a thousand words, why not try to write a thousand with the Mont Blanc writing set that was gifted to the U.S. president by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Valued at $5,264, the set came with a 149 fountain pen, an augmented paper and screenwriter pen, and sharp, polished stationery. Gemstone Portrait Gifted to Trump by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the $1,880 gemstone portrait of the U.S. President is reportedly set against a bold American flag, and Trump's beaming face was brought to life in shimmering stone. Louis Vuitton Golf Bag and Photographs It's a well-known fact that the U.S. president likes to golf. Trump's love for the sport was probably increased when French President Emmanuel Macron gifted Trump the $8,275 gold back in August 2018. In addition to the bag, Macron also gave Trump a set of striking black-and-white photographs featuring soldiers in front of the U.S. flag, which offered a powerful tribute to their shared military past. Bronze Arabian Horse Sculpture The Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa of Bahrain once again seemed to ply the U.S. president with expensive gifts. This time, Al-Khalifa gave Trump a $7,200 bronze sculpture of an Arabian horse. Given to Trump in 2019, the horses reportedly symbolized the heart of Middle Eastern tradition, and the gift celebrates Bahrain's equestrian heritage. Black Stone Double Frame Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi reportedly presented Trump with a striking gift of an intricately carved double frame made of black stone. Priced at $4,450, one side of the frame showed Trump's image while the other displayed Egypt's coat of arms.
