Air travel

Trump Unveils Qatar-Gifted Boeing 747 as New Air Force One

Is this a bold symbol of American leadership or an embarrassing Qatari hand-me-down dressed up as patriotism?

Published 3 hours ago

Trump Unveils Qatar-Gifted Boeing 747 as New Air Force One

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Above: Donald Trump in front of the new Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on June 19, 2026. Image credit: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-Trump narrative

Trump's new Air Force One is exactly what presidential power should look like — bold, American and unapologetic. Boeing dragged its feet for years on the replacement jets, so turning a Qatari 747 into a fully modified, security-tested command aircraft is smart governing. The Kennedy-era blue was elegant, but elegance that whispers isn't leadership.

Nick Sortor on X PJ Media

Anti-Trump narrative

Replacing the most iconic and majestic presidential aircraft in history with a gaudy, used Qatari hand-me-down is embarrassing. Taxpayers are footing hundreds of millions to refurbish a plane Qatar no longer wanted, and Trump gets to keep it after leaving office — that's a personal perk disguised as patriotism.

Ryan Rozbiani on X

Marty Taylor on X