Washington: Trump temporarily returns to older Air Force One
PUBLISHED Jul 20, 2026, 11:00 PM ET
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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.
By James Porter | JQJO News
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
News Intelligence
- 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.
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