A couple of weeks ago, there started to be rumors of Qatar gifting the United States a Boeing 747-8, to be used as the new Air Force One. This is a deal that has been orchestrated by President Trump and his administration. At the time, many people dismissed that rumor as “fake news,” but it has now been confirmed, and the $400 million plane is expected to shortly be handed over to the US.
In this post, I want to discuss the part of this story that makes the least sense to me, as I feel it’s not being discussed enough.
In this post:
Trump wants the 747 to go to his Presidential Library
Trump intends for this Boeing 747-8 to be updated with new security equipment as soon as possible, so that he can start flying it in the coming months. It won’t have the typical Air Force One safety features, since installing that takes a lot of time, and it’s the reason that the two 747-8s that were ordered directly from Boeing have been delayed so much.
There have obviously been a lot of ethical concerns about this deal, from both Democrats and Republicans, about a foreign government giving such a big gift. Let’s ignore all of that for a moment, and pretend it’s a big, beautiful, ethical deal.
Here’s the part that I can’t wrap my head around. According to the plans, Trump will use the plane as Air Force One until January 1, 2029 (weeks before a new president will be inaugurated). At that point, the next president won’t get to keep the plane, but instead, it’ll be transfered to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation.
So Qatar is gifting the plane to the United States (not to Trump), and taxpayers will be on the hook for the cost of updating the plane with new safety equipment, plus of the cost of transferring it to Trump after he leaves office.
Keep in mind that there’s no guarantee that the actual new Air Force One aircraft will be delivered before Trump leaves office. Quite to the contrary, the expectation is that it’ll be well into the 2030s before the pair of new Air Force One jets are delivered.
So can anyone help me understand why taxpayers should be on the hook for the costs associated with reconfiguring a plane, only for the president to then keep a gift that was supposedly for the United States? It’s a serious question…
What purpose will the 747 serve at the Presidential Library?
The second part of what I can’t wrap my head around is what the Boeing 747 is actually supposed to do in the Trump Presidential Library. People point out that it’s not like Trump will actually be able to fly the plane if it’s in his Presidential Library. So what exactly is the goal of putting a Boeing 747 on static display, without it actually being able to fly?
Call me a cynic, but is it unreasonable to think that he will simply continue to fly the 747 after he leaves office, even though it’s technically transfered to the Trump Presidential Library? Is that pure, baseless conspiracy theory? And if not, why wouldn’t he let the next president (it could be an ally of his!) use it?
For what it’s worth, there is a precedent for a former Air Force One going into a Presidential Library — the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library has an Air Force One Pavilion. The difference is that the plane was placed in the library after it no longer served a purpose.
We’re talking about the SAM 27000, which was based on the Boeing 707. It served as Air Force One until 1990, when it was retired, and replaced by more modern aircraft.
But the distinction is that the plane was gifted by President Bush, and this all happened after the fact. It’s a little different than someone saying “hey, I’m just gonna keep Air Force One, even though it could still serve a purpose.”
Bottom line
The Trump administration is moving forward with accepting a $400 million Boeing 747-8 as a gift from the Qataris. Pretending for a moment that there are no ethical concerns, what I can’t understand is what justification is being used for this to be transfered to the Trump Presidential Library weeks before Trump leaves office.
Beyond that, I can’t actually understand why he’d want it in his Presidential Library, if the goal wasn’t to somehow figure out a way to fly it. It’s not like this is some historical plane that served half a dozen presidents over decades. Instead, it’s just a plane that will carry Trump around for a couple of years…
Anyone have any insights?
Who were you and Buick employing that got you tens of thousand of dollars in P P P during the pandemic to then get them forgiven?
Qu’ils mangent de la brioche
What’s he done to help the poor?
What do you expect from this mendacious, narcissistic, troglodyte
A gift. Aka bribe
A library lol. What will it contain ? Crayons and a colouring book.
For as long as it keeps triggering leftists like Ben, or others suffering from severe TDS, Qatar’s gift has beautifully served its purpose.
It's quite sad that you're happy to part with your tax money just to stick it up to the leftists...
Gifts to the Office of the President are supposed to go to the National Archives, which transfers the gift to the Presidential Library. This is the pre-Trump 47 protocol. That might be the legal reasoning.
It will go to the foundation. Not the library. That is the legal reasoning for him doing whatever he wants with it in the end.
Is the library actually the foundation? Where does it say that it is or isn't?
The better way would be for the USAF to keep it beyond 2029 until at least 2035 when the new planes come in.
Some people are skeptical of anything Trump does at all. But even for those who fully support Trump, how can they consider it a good deal for the United States for the government to accept a new plane, then in less than four years turn it over to the Trump Library Foundation for nothing and have to pay full price for the next Air Force One?
Because it’s the best deal ever, obviously. American jobs will “get” to rebuild the plane and then even MOAR AMERICAN jobs will get to strip everything sensitive off it in under 4 years. Such deal. Many sensible.
The newest 747-8 built was in 2022 for atlas. This isn’t a new plane. Depreciation of value occurs for all assets.
Okay, make that "accept a plane which is used, but has a useful life with some more years left to go."
Such an embarrassing situation for the USA. Not only is it a sham legal opinion by the AG. Its beyond unethical and the convicted criminal has no shame. What has happened to ethics and integrity in the USA?
This is morally unethical.
But I have a question. Do any of you think your tax dollars are used efficiently or properly today? Let's be honest, take a look at social security and it's misuse. Is there a Netflix documentary yet?
When "taxpayer dollars" are being used, what exactly does that mean? Does it mean that the dollars coming out of my paycheck are being directed to this plane refurbishment? I never know how...
This is morally unethical.
But I have a question. Do any of you think your tax dollars are used efficiently or properly today? Let's be honest, take a look at social security and it's misuse. Is there a Netflix documentary yet?
When "taxpayer dollars" are being used, what exactly does that mean? Does it mean that the dollars coming out of my paycheck are being directed to this plane refurbishment? I never know how that works honestly. Did taxpayer dollars pay for the Covid vaccine?
As I suspect you know, it’s infinitely more complex than that. Basically everyone’s (Federal) tax dollars go into a big bucket and then go to pay for various programs - last year 24% of the US Federal budget was spent on healthcare (with more than half of that going to Medicare, primarily caring for those 65+). The rest of that is split down into social security at 21% and military spending at 13%. The question...
As I suspect you know, it’s infinitely more complex than that. Basically everyone’s (Federal) tax dollars go into a big bucket and then go to pay for various programs - last year 24% of the US Federal budget was spent on healthcare (with more than half of that going to Medicare, primarily caring for those 65+). The rest of that is split down into social security at 21% and military spending at 13%. The question I have is whether this is considered military spending? I can’t imagine the DoD is slicing into their own budget to make modifications to this aircraft… but maybe they are.
And although you say “Covid vaccine” as if there is only one, US taxpayers largely paid for the development and distribution of the various vaccines developed in the US. Money well spent if you ask me, but I’m sure I’ll be read to shreds in the comments below.
@Timtamtrak
Funny you mention it, fast-tracking the COVID vaccine development is both the best thing Trump ever did and the one thing he can't take credit for because his base is a bunch of anti-vax loons.
@Alonzo
Primarily with the exception of the DoD, I think our tax dollars are generally well spent. There's always going to be waste and nepotism, the fight against that is a never-ending one, but just because it...
@Timtamtrak
Funny you mention it, fast-tracking the COVID vaccine development is both the best thing Trump ever did and the one thing he can't take credit for because his base is a bunch of anti-vax loons.
@Alonzo
Primarily with the exception of the DoD, I think our tax dollars are generally well spent. There's always going to be waste and nepotism, the fight against that is a never-ending one, but just because it exists doesn't mean the government is rife with it. The Federal government has some of the strictest accountability standards in the world with multiple internal and external oversight mechanisms and checks and balances between the branches and agencies. While there's always going to be some egregiously priced item that the media blasts for clicks, I think most people don't really understand just how much money it takes to run a military our size, administer and staff the courts and the federal agencies that handle law enforcement, land management, social safety nets, foreign aid, diplomacy, and the list goes on and on.
Ben loves the Qataris when they're announcing a new QSuite and updating their champagne, or he's sneaking into the Al-Safwa lounge
Obviously, it will replace Trump's aged 757 as his personal aircraft. He'll do it through a little known legal statute called "no one will stop me".
Mark my words. It will be parked eventually at a Golf Course where he will sell it for overnight stays for $20K a night for which the funds go to his "foundation." The "library" will be the clubhouse of the golf course where you can buy Trump memorabilia and one book, "The Art of The Deal 2: Russia Style."
It all sounds ridiculous. But so is everything he does. Nothing would surprise me anymore amidst the greatest grift on America ever concocted.
Just because previous presidents have turned over the facilities and operation of their libraries to the National Archives (the contents of the library are necessarily already controlled by the archives) doesn't mean they're compelled to. Trump has long felt comfortable abandoning presidential norms and there's no reason to believe this'll be any different. In fact, that the transfer of the aircraft to the library is proscribed in the deal tells us his intent isn't to...
Just because previous presidents have turned over the facilities and operation of their libraries to the National Archives (the contents of the library are necessarily already controlled by the archives) doesn't mean they're compelled to. Trump has long felt comfortable abandoning presidential norms and there's no reason to believe this'll be any different. In fact, that the transfer of the aircraft to the library is proscribed in the deal tells us his intent isn't to turn over control.
What seems more likely is that he intends to use the plane as his personal aircraft under the guise of "library business and fundraising".
“What seems more likely is that he intends to use the plane as his personal aircraft under the guise of ‘library business and fundraising’.”
And showing off what bribery, corruption, and self-dealing look like at a scale never before seen in US political history. He makes Boss Tweed, the city of Chicago, and the state of Illinois look like amateurs.
But the good news is that he’ll continue to comfort the comfortable and afflict...
“What seems more likely is that he intends to use the plane as his personal aircraft under the guise of ‘library business and fundraising’.”
And showing off what bribery, corruption, and self-dealing look like at a scale never before seen in US political history. He makes Boss Tweed, the city of Chicago, and the state of Illinois look like amateurs.
But the good news is that he’ll continue to comfort the comfortable and afflict the afflicted, so it’s a win-lose, same as it ever was with these death cult members.
Whether you oppose or favor the acquisition of the plane, the 747-8 is basically obsolete, no longer made. The few airlines (except LH) are getting rid of theirs. Might have cost $400M - but not worth that now, particularly if no one wants to buy. To expensive to operate. I suspect Qatar just wants to get it off their hands. Expensive to just sit there and maintain and expensive to scrap it. A380's were scrapped...
Whether you oppose or favor the acquisition of the plane, the 747-8 is basically obsolete, no longer made. The few airlines (except LH) are getting rid of theirs. Might have cost $400M - but not worth that now, particularly if no one wants to buy. To expensive to operate. I suspect Qatar just wants to get it off their hands. Expensive to just sit there and maintain and expensive to scrap it. A380's were scrapped and disassembled, etc. Likely best to just give it back to Boeing and let me do with it as they like.
Have most Trump supporters ever even been to their local library?
I'll see a former AF 1 at the Reagan (another great President of the USA) Library tomorrow!
Another?
400M for a new one, face value. A 12 years old rare vip config may value 1/10 of it at most. Not saying 40M isn’t problematic but better accurate as an aviation blogger who knows all aspects in this industry. The best scenario is a quick scale-down version of AF1 mod and serve well for 3-4 years until new AF1 arrives. Boeing claims the new one will arrive in 2027 but that’s because some mods...
400M for a new one, face value. A 12 years old rare vip config may value 1/10 of it at most. Not saying 40M isn’t problematic but better accurate as an aviation blogger who knows all aspects in this industry. The best scenario is a quick scale-down version of AF1 mod and serve well for 3-4 years until new AF1 arrives. Boeing claims the new one will arrive in 2027 but that’s because some mods were recently scaled down for a faster delivery. Boeing can take more time and finish well so that new AF1s last 30-40 years.
The library is also owned by the government. Trump doesn’t keep anything. This is why people call this “fake news”. You even updated that from your first article on this issue.
All that said, I still think it’s dumb to take the plane and it going to the library.
“This is why people call this “fake news”.”
Actually, nobody calls it “fake news,” and nobody even uses the phrase “fake news” except for RWNJs.
Try again. Is Ben a RWNJ?
> The library is also owned by the government.
Presidential Libraries are owned by the government. However, Presidential Library Foundations are not part of the government; they are private, non-profit organizations established by the associated president and/or their supporters. The claim is:
> it’ll be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation.
If that is the case, the plane would no longer be owned by the government. Are you saying that this is untrue?
> The library is also owned by the government.
Presidential Libraries are owned by the government. However, Presidential Library Foundations are not part of the government; they are private, non-profit organizations established by the associated president and/or their supporters. The claim is:
> it’ll be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation.
If that is the case, the plane would no longer be owned by the government. Are you saying that this is untrue?
Noted and lesson learned. The foundation was not set up by Trump though. So still not Trump.
@Sel D.
The ONLY reason Trump would take delivery of this plane and then pass it off to his "Presidential Library" is because he would expect to use it after he leaves office. The whole "Reagan's library has a defunct 707" is just the legal smokescreen he's trying to use to get himself a new personal plane because his 757 is a pile of junk. That it's technically some nonprofit with his name on...
@Sel D.
The ONLY reason Trump would take delivery of this plane and then pass it off to his "Presidential Library" is because he would expect to use it after he leaves office. The whole "Reagan's library has a defunct 707" is just the legal smokescreen he's trying to use to get himself a new personal plane because his 757 is a pile of junk. That it's technically some nonprofit with his name on it receiving the plane is a distinction without difference. It will be Trump's aircraft.
With difference. They won’t be able to seize it after multiple legally questionable law suits against him after he leaves office. Primarily because it won’t be his.
What's legally questionable in your eyes?
Using campaign funds to pay hush money to keep an affair quiet?
Refusing to divest from his businesses to enrich himself on foreign governments booking stays at his hotels to curry favor, and directing US government business to his hotels for his own benefit?
Witholding Congressionally appropriated aid for Ukraine in return for dirt on a political opponent?
Phoning a state elections official in a...
What's legally questionable in your eyes?
Using campaign funds to pay hush money to keep an affair quiet?
Refusing to divest from his businesses to enrich himself on foreign governments booking stays at his hotels to curry favor, and directing US government business to his hotels for his own benefit?
Witholding Congressionally appropriated aid for Ukraine in return for dirt on a political opponent?
Phoning a state elections official in a swing state and demanding he find you another 11k votes?
Inciting a riot to try to prevent the election certification your opponent won?
Taking top secret official documents home and then hiding them from NARA when NARA comes looking for them?
Giving Elon the power to make personnel hiring/firing decisions and blanket access to secure government data without going through a Congressional appointment?
Offering to drop Eric Adam's corruption charges without prejudice in exchange for him being Trump's immigration cop in NYC?
Setting up a crypto shitcoin he controls and using that to sell access to himself and the White House?
Giving his billionaire buddies forewarning that he was putting the tariffs on hold so that they could make billions more by buying stock before the market rebounded?
Everything I listed is illegal. It is against the law. There is nothing wrong with indicting and trying people who do these things. I thought Republicans were big on rule of law, but Trump just shows that the party I once supported is long dead. And I know for a fact you'd be howling if Biden or Obama or Clinton had done any single one of the things I listed, but somehow a walking lump of bronzer has your total and unquestioning allegiance.
The idea of it going to the Trump foundation hasn't been thought through enough. The presidental foundations are paid for by fundraising, not goverment largess. The operating costs alone would be cripling and Trump is famous for not spending his own money.
Come closer to the time there will be a different outcome. Just claiming it and making it look like he will be using it privately is just another 'seize the narrative' and distract play.
My guess is that Trump wants this plane in his presidential library to show off the narrative that he was such a successful and celebrated president that a foreign government gifted "him" a sparkling gigantic BBJ 747-8 (I put him in quotes because he will either push the narrative that he recieved it once he leaves office, or he will promote that this aircraft was gifted to the United States under his leadership and because...
My guess is that Trump wants this plane in his presidential library to show off the narrative that he was such a successful and celebrated president that a foreign government gifted "him" a sparkling gigantic BBJ 747-8 (I put him in quotes because he will either push the narrative that he recieved it once he leaves office, or he will promote that this aircraft was gifted to the United States under his leadership and because of his leadership).
Trump wants to be seen as the best president in the history of the United States. Having this 747-8 in his presidential library helps him promote that claim. Those are my two cents anyways.
I find the media commentary on the Qatari 747-8 to be amusing. Regardless of your view of the transfer/gift to DoD of the aircraft.
1. I have read that they have to take it apart - and rebuild it - as it was not built by people with security clearances: Note the Transaero 747-8's that are in the process of being converted aren't either.
2. Read today out will take up to sic...
I find the media commentary on the Qatari 747-8 to be amusing. Regardless of your view of the transfer/gift to DoD of the aircraft.
1. I have read that they have to take it apart - and rebuild it - as it was not built by people with security clearances: Note the Transaero 747-8's that are in the process of being converted aren't either.
2. Read today out will take up to sic months to repaint it alone. Appears from review of open spruce info that a 777 or 747 takes two week for less even for themes complicated livery. And yes, I like teh Red/White/Blue color schema. Sorry, Jacquie.
3. My guess is that President Trump will only use this aircraft within the USA, and at lower DEFCON's etc.
4. As for the Presidential Library Foundation, what does the law say about donations and transfers?
Lastly, ten years to convert an aircraft (existing contract was signed in 2015) and it's still not done. Who needs to be fired? Boeing needs to get their act together, NOW. This is embarrassing for a once great company.
“ why wouldn’t he let the next president (it could be an ally of his!) use it?”
Because he’s a selfish manchild.
My guess is that the plan is to continue flying in it-he’ll find ways to say each flight is “foundation business”. Would anyone put it past him having a deal with a charter company to rent it out when ge isn’t using it? I am sure upkeep would quickly become prohibitive but he isn’t thinking about that he’s thinking he wants the trappings of middle eastern royalty
The same thing LBJs ‘Air Force One-Half’ Lockheed Jetstar does at the Johnson Ranch. Serve as a historical exhibit for folks in the future to look back and see what things were like in the mid-late 2020s.
But by all means politicize it instead.
@ 9C -- You don't see the difference between that? And would you be fine if Biden had done this?
He would not be fine with it. It's a cult.
I disagree with a ton of LBJs politics but think the plane is an interesting artifact of his presidency given the nature of his ranch. Would apply the same logic to this jet. He’s a deal maker, hate it love it and this is a unique artifact of that characteristic.
Tbh, not sure how Biden factors into this
Lol yeah he just wants to use it for a year or two and then have it is an exhibit. He’s solely thinking of library exhibits.
You mean this plane, which was rescued from an Air Force “graveyard” decades after retirement and which taxpayers spent about $200k to transport?
https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2016/10/07/piece-of-flying-history-lands-on-lbj-ranch/9809474007/
Totally the same as transferring a $400 million dollar plane with many years of flightworthy life left in it after likely tens of millions of taxpayer dollars are spent retrofitting it, and the person responsible for transferring the plane happens to be the recipient (in all but the most...
You mean this plane, which was rescued from an Air Force “graveyard” decades after retirement and which taxpayers spent about $200k to transport?
https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2016/10/07/piece-of-flying-history-lands-on-lbj-ranch/9809474007/
Totally the same as transferring a $400 million dollar plane with many years of flightworthy life left in it after likely tens of millions of taxpayer dollars are spent retrofitting it, and the person responsible for transferring the plane happens to be the recipient (in all but the most technical sense). Yep. Ben should apologize for “politicizing” this totally normal, apolitical activity by our president.
It's incredibly simple. Trump is corrupt.
What will it "do"?
Hopefully continue to annoy liberals.
@ WinstonTeracina -- I guess that means you don't have a good faith answer?
That was my good faith answer, Ben.
But more importantly, thank you for your site and all your great content over the years.
@ WinstonTeracina -- Hah, well thank you for reading, I appreciate it! Not the answer I was expecting, but I'll take it. :-)
Not an American and could give two shits what happens here, but if the shoe was on the other foot and it was a democrat, rebuplicans would be rioting in the streets.
Man, the vicarious embarrassment I feel when I read a comment like this. American conservatives sure seem to have set a low bar.
Ben Schlappig, please be advised that subversive elements are being allowed to bring your website into disrepute.
By not providing sufficient monitoring of the website comments, by not putting sufficiently robust measures in place to prevent a user from hijacking the login credentials of someone else, you are endangering your business and your good name.
It has been clear for all to see that certain individuals have been bullying and harassing Tim Dunn...
Ben Schlappig, please be advised that subversive elements are being allowed to bring your website into disrepute.
By not providing sufficient monitoring of the website comments, by not putting sufficiently robust measures in place to prevent a user from hijacking the login credentials of someone else, you are endangering your business and your good name.
It has been clear for all to see that certain individuals have been bullying and harassing Tim Dunn on your site. As a result you suspended the victim, while allowing those responsible for the harassment to move onto other targets.
For your own protection and to ensure compliance with your responsibility to other website users, you might like to consider strengthening your website policy.
It will be a great shame if you allow the bullies to continue to control your website content by intimidation and the dissemination of terrorist propaganda.
@ AeroB13a -- That person has been banned now, sorry about that.
Ben, thank you for your swift response to my observation. I apologise for being extremely quick off the mark by making multiple posts before giving you the opportunity to respond.
Thank you! I continue to recommend you only allow commenting with a registered account. But I'm guessing that would be bad for engagement
Oh, some (perhaps not all) of the comments after he was allowed back were actually quite insightful.