Trump Debuts Qatari-Gifted Air Force One on Inaugural Flight to North Dakota

Maiden Voyage of Controversial Gift

President Donald Trump took his maiden voyage Wednesday on the newly retrofitted Air Force One, a Boeing 747 worth approximately $400 million gifted by the government of Qatar. The flight carried Trump from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to North Dakota, where he participated in celebrations marking America's 250th anniversary and visited the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora.

Unprecedented Foreign Gift Sparks Ethics Debate

The Qatari-gifted jet has drawn significant scrutiny from lawmakers and ethics experts since its announcement in May 2025. The plane underwent extensive retrofitting by the U.S. Air Force in Texas since September, adding hundreds of millions of dollars in security, communications, and defense systems. The total cost of retrofitting reached approximately $400 million, funded by taxpayer dollars. Critics raised concerns about national security, foreign influence, and conflict of interest, particularly given Trump's close business ties to Qatar, including a recently announced luxury golf resort deal.

Presidential Pride and Design Changes

Trump praised the aircraft before boarding, calling it "maybe the greatest commercial plane ever built" and crediting Boeing's engineering. The retrofitted jet features Trump's preferred color scheme: a navy blue belly with red and gold stripes, replacing the traditional light blue hull that historically helped Air Force One blend into the sky. The president noted that the previous Air Force One had been 35-36 years old and argued the new plane was necessary for national prestige.

Bridge Until New Fleet Arrives

The aircraft, designated VC-25B Bridge, is intended to serve as a temporary solution until two purpose-built Air Force One jets enter service in 2028—around the time Trump leaves office. Trump stated that after his presidency ends, the plane will be donated to his presidential library. On July 4, he announced the new Air Force One will lead a "flyover like no flyover" to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday.