Qatar-gifted jet stirs ethics debate as Trump touts his personal touch on the presidential aircraft.
Kehinde Adegoke | International Agencies
President Donald Trump has boasted about the red, white and blue colour scheme he chose for a Qatari jet being prepared for use as America’s new Air Force One.
Speaking on Friday at Joint Base Andrews, where he addressed service members beside the aircraft in a hangar, Trump said the design reflected his personal taste and marked a departure from the light blue livery long associated with the presidential plane.
“We had it all painted up, and these are the new colours: red, white and blue,” Trump said. “Everything was designed well. It was my taste.”
He added that he liked the lighter blue previously used on Air Force One but said it was “time for a change.”
“There will never be one like this. This is very unique. This is considered the world’s most luxurious plane,” he said. “When it was built, it was built at a level that will probably never be seen again.”
Trump said the aircraft had been transformed into “a flying White House” and would feature in a flyover marking America’s 250th birthday.
The aircraft, a $400 million jet gifted by Qatar, has drawn criticism over security concerns and allegations of conflict of interest. The gift was first announced last year and sparked backlash from lawmakers who questioned the propriety of the arrangement.
Many Americans appear to agree. In a Harvard/Harris poll last year, 62 per cent of voters said the president’s acceptance of the luxury jet “raises ethical concerns about corruption.”
Trump dismissed the criticism, writing on Truth Social that “only a FOOL would not accept this gift on behalf of our Country.”
He argued that the military and taxpayers should not be forced to pay hundreds of millions of dollars for a plane that could be received free.
The Air Force said in May that it had completed modifications and testing on the aircraft for temporary use. The jet is not yet ready to carry Trump, but is expected to begin commissioning flights soon.
Trump has said the plane will be used until Boeing completes a new fleet of presidential aircraft. It is expected to be donated to his presidential library after he leaves office.
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