POLITICS

Washington: Trump temporarily returns to older Air Force One

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Washington — The White House said Monday that President Donald Trump will temporarily stop using the new Qatari-gifted Air Force One and return to flying on the older, baby blue presidential aircraft for about one month while the newer jet undergoes additional security upgrades. The customized Boeing 747-800, valued at roughly $400 million and donated to the U.S. government by Qatar’s royal family last year under an unusual bilateral agreement, has drawn scrutiny over its defensive systems and the propriety of a foreign-funded aircraft serving as the primary presidential jet. The Pentagon formally accepted the plane and directed about ten months of modifications before Trump took his maiden flight on it on July 1, 2026, debuting a dark blue, red, and gold paint scheme that replaced the traditional light blue livery. Washington — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the plane is “perfectly safe” for presidential travel but confirmed it will undergo “additional upgrades and enhancements” in the fall so its security features are fully “maxed out.” Officials plan to install further missile detection and countermeasure systems during the month-long retrofit amid mounting political and security concerns about the jet’s defensive capabilities. During this work, Trump will resume using the decades-old Boeing that has long served as Air Force One. The shift follows a series of disclosures and questions from lawmakers and defense experts about the national security and ethical implications of the president flying on a luxury jet gifted by a foreign government.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Last year Qatar donates customized Boeing 747-800
Following months Pentagon accepts presidential aircraft transfer
Following acceptance jet enters extensive modification program
July 1, 2026 Trump takes inaugural flight
Since July lawmakers question foreign-gifted presidential aircraft
This fall additional security upgrades are scheduled
Monday White House announces temporary fleet reversion
Next month older Air Force One resumes presidential service

Why This Matters to You

This switch-up in presidential aircraft could impact your tax dollars. The additional security upgrades on the new jet may increase government spending. Keep an eye on how this unfolds and how it might affect your wallet.

The Bottom Line

President Trump is back to the older Air Force One for a month while the new, Qatari-gifted jet gets security upgrades. It's a move that's sparked questions about national security and ethics. Worth forwarding if you know someone interested in government spending or aviation.