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Trump unveils modified Qatari luxury jet meant for Air Force One
BBC • • general
Key Points:
- President Donald Trump unveiled a newly modified Boeing 747-8 jet, donated by the Qatari government in 2025 as an unconditional gift to the US, now valued at approximately $400 million.
- The US Air Force completed extensive security, communication, and technology upgrades on the aircraft, which will undergo initial commissioning flights before being used to transport the president.
- The jet features minimal interior changes, a fresh patriotic exterior paint job, and is intended for interim use until Boeing delivers the delayed VC-25B Air Force One jets.
- The gift sparked controversy due to concerns over conflicts of interest and legal questions about accepting high-value donations, though the White House maintains the acceptance is legal and plans to donate the plane to Trump's presidential library after his term.
- This new jet supplements and partially replaces the older 747-200B models in the Air Force One fleet, with one of the older planes now retired.
