Trump Takes Off On Maiden Voyage For Qatar-Gifted Air Force One
President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed excitement for the first flight of the new Air Force One, calling the Qatari-gifted jet “the greatest commercial plane ever built.”
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Trump spoke to reporters on the tarmac before departing to North Dakota for the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
“So, this will be the first flight of what I think is maybe the greatest commercial plane ever built,” Trump said. “I think you know, to be honest with you, I’m excited about the first flight. It’s something nobody’s ever seen anything like it, even you people with all your experience and all of your talents, you will never see anything like this.”
MAIDEN VOYAGE ???????????????????????? https://t.co/b1RBlnbrFt pic.twitter.com/Xbqm2NHXwV
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 1, 2026
A video posted by the White House’s Rapid Response X account captured the commander-in-chief climbing the stairs of the Boeing 747-8, pausing to pump his fist before takeoff.
.@POTUS departs for North Dakota to see the newly-built Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library — his first flight aboard the new Air Force One. ???????? pic.twitter.com/K1FRzAsWmY
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 1, 2026
In June, White House officials bid farewell to the old Air Force One, a Boeing 747-200, which has transported U.S. presidents across the nation and around the world for more than three decades.
“The last ride,” White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said on X. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
“THANK YOU,” White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino said, posting a video of the aircraft, saying he has “been fortunate to fly around the world on this iconic plane for 5 1/2 years — of the 35 years it has been serving U.S. presidents.”
The old Air Force One has been replaced by three Boeing 747-8s, including a luxury jet gifted by the Qatari government that sparked a political firestorm. The so-called “flying palace” is estimated to be worth $400 million, The Daily Wire previously reported. The other two Boeing-built VC-25Bs that will be used as Air Force One are still undergoing modifications.
CNN reported that the Qatari jet received significant modifications for its new role as Air Force One, including a major overhaul to equip it with the secure communications and security systems required for presidential travel.
“They made it appropriate for a president, that means the security and all of the different bells and whistles they put on, very complex style, but it’s really quite something,” Trump said Wednesday.
“This is a plane that the United States of America should have. Our Air Force One was 36 years old,” he added.
His fight for a new plane cracked open a controversy at the beginning of his second term. In May 2025, multiple reports revealed that the Trump administration was in talks to accept a luxury jet from Qatar, a proposal that sparked bipartisan criticism.
Critics pounced on the president, arguing that gifts from Qatar — a nation that spends heavily to build influence in the United States — rarely come without strings attached.
Pro-Trump activist Laura Loomer urged Trump not to accept the plane, saying, “This is really going to be such a stain on the admin if this is true.”
On Wednesday, Trump rebuffed that criticism, calling the flying White House, which has a red, white, blue, and gold design, “beautiful” and something the country should “be very proud of.”
“So this was a gift from a country that’s treated us very well, and they’re an ally of us over in the Middle East,” Trump said. “Frankly, we couldn’t build a plane like this because we wouldn’t be willing to spend the kind of money necessary.”
“This will be the first flight of what I think is maybe the greatest commercial plane ever built,” says @POTUS as he departs for the opening of the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library.
“This is a plane that the United States of America should have. Our Air Force One was 36… pic.twitter.com/zd9EG3RyD0
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 1, 2026
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I am just an average American. My teen years were in the late 70s and I participated in all that that decade offered. Started working young, too young. Then I joined the Army before I graduated High School. I spent 25 years in, mostly in Infantry units. Since then I've worked in information technology positions all at small family owned companies. At this rate I'll never be a tech millionaire. When I was young I rode horses as much as I could. I do believe I should have been a cowboy. I'm getting in the saddle again by taking riding lessons and see where it goes.
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