Donald Trump has unveiled the new temporary Air Force One, a converted Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar, at a ceremony at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The aircraft, designated VC-25B Bridge, features a red, white, dark blue and gold livery and will serve as an interim presidential plane until two purpose-built jets are delivered in 2027 and 2028.
The $400m (£320m) gift from the Gulf emirate has provoked political controversy, as it far exceeds the $50 limit on unsolicited gifts from a single source in a calendar year. Trump dismissed the criticism, calling it “stupid” to turn down the offer, while the former Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell insisted the gift was accepted in accordance with federal rules.
The cost of converting the Qatari 747 has been estimated at $1bn (£800m). Critics have argued that the expense could divert funding from the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile modernisation programme, which is already behind schedule. The two long-delayed presidential Boeings have seen their combined cost rise from $3.7bn to $5bn.
Speaking at the unveiling, Trump thanked the Emir of Qatar, describing him as “a fantastic guy”. He called the jet “the world’s most luxurious plane” and argued that a newer aircraft was necessary to match the modern planes used by other world leaders. The two ageing 747s in the presidential fleet entered service in 1990, and one was forced to turn back from a trip to Davos earlier this year due to an electrical issue.
The new jet will lead a formation flight over Washington DC on 4 July to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary. A tour of the interior revealed a framed print of a duck swimming in the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. The retirement of tail number 29000, which transported the president back from Europe on Thursday, coincides with the arrival of the VC-25B. Its companion, tail number 28000, will continue flying alongside the new aircraft.
