DoD Retrofits Qatari Jet as Air Force One

The U.S. Department of Defense has accepted a 13-year-old luxury Boeing 747 from Qatar as a gift, with plans to retrofit it as the new Air Force One for President Donald Trump. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink testified that the retrofit cost is expected to be under $400 million, well below earlier projections exceeding $1 billion, though lawmakers and experts warn costs could climb. The project demands extensive security, communications, and defense system upgrades to meet presidential standards, with officials noting many associated expenses would have been necessary regardless. The acceptance of the aircraft has raised bipartisan concerns about ethics, legalities, and potential foreign influence. President Trump defends the move as a cost-saving measure, while critics argue that the full financial and security implications are uncertain. The program continues amid chronic delays and heightened budget scrutiny over the broader Air Force One replacement effort.