President Donald Trump has begun using a retrofitted Boeing 747, valued at $400 million and gifted by Qatar, as Air Force One. The jet's exterior has been repainted from its original light blue to Trump's preferred navy belly with red and gold stripes, departing from the traditional Air Force One livery.
The refurbished aircraft includes luxury features such as plush carpets, lie-flat seats, wood paneling, and the presidential seal on the seat belts, reflecting Trump's personal preferences for the presidential aircraft. Trump stated his belief that the aircraft should showcase the status of the commander-in-chief, telling reporters, "You can do two things: You can low-key it, or you can show it."
This trip marks Trump's first official use of the jet, taking him to North Dakota to visit the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library ahead of its opening. Trump described the aircraft as a gift from a country that has treated the U.S. well, despite potential ethical concerns raised by the donation.
The Qatar-provided jet will serve as a temporary replacement for the 35-year-old aircraft previously used by the president. Boeing is scheduled to deliver new, long-delayed planes that will permanently serve as Air Force One in 2028. Trump has previously indicated that the Qatar plane would eventually be housed in a presidential library.
The Air Force has stated that the cabin layout of the gifted jet was largely unchanged and that security upgrades cost less than $400 million.