US President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled a replacement Air Force One aircraft gifted by Qatar, describing the luxury jet as a “flying White House.”
Speaking during a ceremony held inside the aircraft’s hangar at Joint Base Andrews, Trump praised the Gulf nation for providing the aircraft and highlighted its luxurious features.
“This is considered the world’s most luxurious plane,” Trump said, thanking Qatar for being “so nice and providing” the aircraft.
The gift, reportedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars, has generated debate in the United States, with critics raising ethical, constitutional and security concerns about a foreign government providing such a valuable asset to the American presidency.
Trump has previously defended the decision to accept the aircraft, arguing that rejecting it would be “stupid.” His earlier comments that the plane could eventually be donated to his presidential library also drew scrutiny from political observers and ethics experts.
During the unveiling, Trump commended those involved in modifying the aircraft to meet presidential standards.
“With the extraordinary devotion of many of you here today, this plane was transformed into a flying White House at a level of luxury that nobody’s ever seen before,” he said.
He further praised the aircraft’s craftsmanship, saying, “When you see it, you won’t believe it, actually, the quality of the woods, the quality of the materials, and the quality of the engines.”
According to journalists who toured the aircraft, the interior features leather seating, plush carpeting, wooden panelling and walls decorated in shades of tan, light brown and gold. The aircraft also contains patriotic artwork, including a framed print depicting a duck swimming in Washington’s Reflecting Pool.
Trump repeatedly emphasized the aircraft’s performance capabilities, claiming it “flies further and faster than any Air Force One.”
The president also disclosed that the aircraft could take part in a flyover during celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence on July 4.
The introduction of the new jet comes as the United States continues efforts to modernise its presidential air fleet. The Air Force One aircraft currently in service have been operating since the 1990s.
Earlier this week, White House officials formally retired one of the two heavily modified Boeing 747 aircraft that have transported US presidents for decades, fuelling speculation about the arrival of the replacement jet.
Unlike the traditional blue-and-white colour scheme used on previous Air Force One aircraft, the newly unveiled plane features a navy-blue underside, a red stripe and a white upper section.
Although the aircraft serves as part of the presidential fleet, the official call sign “Air Force One” is only used whenever the President of the United States is onboard.
Meanwhile, the US government continues to await delivery of two new Boeing 747-8 aircraft ordered to modernise the presidential fleet, a programme that has faced repeated delays and rising costs.
