President Donald Trump on Wednesday is taking the primary journey on the newly retrofitted Air Power One 747, which was donated by the Qatari royal household.
Trump, taking the retrofitted jet to North Dakota, touted it as “possibly the best business aircraft ever constructed.”
“I mentioned to Boeing, ‘What’s one of the best one?’ They mentioned that is one of the best aircraft ever constructed, and you are going to have the privilege of flying it, and I’ve a privilege additionally of flying it,” Trump instructed reporters earlier than boarding the jet — which is roughly 14 years outdated — at Joint Base Andrews.
President Donald Trump stops to talk to the media earlier than boarding Air Power One, July 1, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
Saul Loeb/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
ABC Information Chief White Home Correspondent Mary Bruce, who’s touring with Trump on his journey, requested him about the usage of taxpayer {dollars} to switch the luxurious aircraft, which doubtless solely will likely be utilized by him.
“Nicely, it price little or no relative to what it will price if we did it a distinct means,” Trump mentioned.
The within of the brand new Air Power One is seen on its maiden voyage in images shared by Steven Cheung, Assistant to the President & White Home Director of Communications, July 1, 2026.
@StevenCheung/X
The Qatari-gifted jet price $400 million raised questions from some lawmakers and ethics specialists over the unprecedented overseas present. However Trump on Wednesday gave credit score to the Qatari authorities.
“Frankly, we could not construct a aircraft like this as a result of we would not be prepared to spend the form of cash mandatory. They spent prime greenback,” the president mentioned.
The newly designated Air Power One is prepared as President Donald Trump arrives to board, July 1, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photograph
The U.S. Air Power has been modifying the jet in Texas since September to fulfill the safety, communications and different wants to move the president. The Air Power had estimated it will price lower than $400 million to retrofit the present.
The aircraft is for use as the brand new Air Power One till shortly earlier than Trump leaves workplace, at which period possession of the aircraft will likely be transferred to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Basis, sources conversant in the proposed association have told ABC News.
President Donald Trump boards the brand new Air Power One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, July 1, 2026.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Pictures
The brand new Air Power One takes off with President Donald Trump aboard, from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, July 1, 2026.
Kylie Cooper/Reuters
Boeing was already contracted by the United State authorities to construct a brand new fleet of jets that might function the next-generation Air Power One, anticipated to be delivered in 2028 across the time Trump leaves workplace.
Trump on Wednesday mentioned the gifted aircraft was wanted, citing the age of the previous jet.
“Our Air Power One was 35, 36 years outdated, and it will be parked subsequent to the brand new ones like this, and it actually did not look applicable for our nation. So we’re very pleased with this,” Trump mentioned.
Trump is touring to North Dakota to take part in a Freedom 250 Practice Experience and Welcome Ceremony and to tour the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library earlier than delivering remarks in Medora.
President Donald Trump departs Air Power One as he arrives at Bismarck Municipal Airport, July 1, 2026 in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Pictures
“I am excited in regards to the first flight. It is one thing no one’s ever seen something prefer it, even you folks, with all of your expertise and your entire expertise, you’ll by no means see something like this,” Trump mentioned simply earlier than his departure. “So, they simply accomplished it. They made it applicable for a president, meaning the safety and the entire totally different bells and whistles they placed on. Very complicated stuff, but it surely’s actually fairly one thing, and this can be a aircraft that the USA of America ought to have.”
