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?
If Trump’s complaint is that the United States needs to have a plane that represents its power, why would it not be used by the next president, especially since taxpayer dollars are funding its retrofit and it is not donated specifically to him. It smells like self-aggrandizement, having nothing to do with a representation of our country. I would be willing to bet he will use it himself after his term is up. It’s a shiny new toy.
No he’s thinking the presidency is a lifetime role like the supreme court justices role is in
Another example of how this blog has gone. This has nothing to do with my points/miles/travel strategy and also shows that you really do not mind having political comments here because you have topics that bring them up although you claim you want to avoid them.
Why is the blogger obsessed with this plane?
Hey Ben instead of trying to, as you say "trying to get my head around it". Look at Trump, his stories go sideways, up and down, and he massages it until it works for him or doesn't.
You will get a headache trying.
Obviously the man has a plan. He had 4 years as shadow president to plan all this out. He came in running and hasn't stopped.
I ignore the mainstream media and...
Hey Ben instead of trying to, as you say "trying to get my head around it". Look at Trump, his stories go sideways, up and down, and he massages it until it works for him or doesn't.
You will get a headache trying.
Obviously the man has a plan. He had 4 years as shadow president to plan all this out. He came in running and hasn't stopped.
I ignore the mainstream media and let it ride.
America and most countries (UK and Europe included) are in debt. Lets see who in the world can fix it.
Maybe its Trump, maybe not. But I don't try to understand all he does, I just wait for the results for us all.
With his tax cut plans, he obviously isn't fixing our national debt. Hell, his bill is asking for a 4 trillion increase to our debt ceiling. That's not a man with a plan. He doesn't even have a concept of a plan. He's just here to enrich himself.
This is trump corruption at it's finest. This is in violation of the emoluments clause. It is in violation of the US Constitution. It is illegal, despite what Bondi may think.
It is a bribe pure and simple.
Anyone who thinks that this aircraft is a free and clear gift to the US Taxpayer is delusional.
What is Obama wanted this ??? the howling would be deafening
(Try to...) Forget Trump.
This plane is gifted to the US Air Force, not to Donald Trump. It will carry the President during those years that Boeing has wasted by lagging behind, and the contract will eventually be altered to include only ONE new plane. The Qatari and those planes on contract are all Boeing 747-8 with tremendous compatibility and, once equipped as they are supposed to be, will be as undifferentiable as the two...
(Try to...) Forget Trump.
This plane is gifted to the US Air Force, not to Donald Trump. It will carry the President during those years that Boeing has wasted by lagging behind, and the contract will eventually be altered to include only ONE new plane. The Qatari and those planes on contract are all Boeing 747-8 with tremendous compatibility and, once equipped as they are supposed to be, will be as undifferentiable as the two 747-200s of today.
Both the Qatari bird and the new one will remain in Presidential service for 30 or 40 years, and none will go to the Trump Library. At 4+ times the ground print of the Reagan 707, it would be impractical as hell.
What is blatantly wrong about what Trump thinks about this “gift” from Qatar is that, if this plane is meant to be used as Air Force 1, the gift should directly go to US government And it should stay with the US government after Trump leaves office. This is not and should not be a private gift to Trump. The plane if accepted to be use for its intended purpose, should not even go to...
What is blatantly wrong about what Trump thinks about this “gift” from Qatar is that, if this plane is meant to be used as Air Force 1, the gift should directly go to US government And it should stay with the US government after Trump leaves office. This is not and should not be a private gift to Trump. The plane if accepted to be use for its intended purpose, should not even go to National Archives/Presidential Library, the same way The White House (the building) should not.
It is being gifted to the US Air Force. Its not been gifted to Trump. Not sure why that's so confusing other then the media making things up.
The stated plan is for the plane to transfer from the USAF to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation January 1 2029 which would preclude use by his successor and return it to an entity controlled by him or his associates. Not sure what’s so hard to understand about that…
It’s not going to remain with the Air Force.
i love how triggered you all get about Trump, its beautiful to watch TDS in full swing!!!
I also love how gutless the mods are by never allowing anyone to post anything that contradicts their narrow field of view.
MAGA - LFG - 4 MORE YEARS
HAVE A GOOD DAY MODS!
Your breath smells like Trump’s penis.
You obviously got to taste his wiener, otherwise how else would you know? What a sad life people like you must live, suffering from self-inflicted TDS. Thoughts and lots of prayers for you!
The real TDS is by his fans who will accept anything he says as gospel and make excuses for all the things he does, Endre. And Big Al is the perfect example of that.
tasted beautiful Julia.
@Julia: Your words, your experience. Hope you enjoyed it.
It will not retire when Trump leaves the white house. It will be retired when the next 747s are ready. If there is a delay for an additional presidential term of the next president, the US Air force wont retire the aircraft. This deal started as a negotiation with the Biden administration when the 747s on order where delayed, as the US Air force has wanted an additional aircraft since the other 2 are old...
It will not retire when Trump leaves the white house. It will be retired when the next 747s are ready. If there is a delay for an additional presidential term of the next president, the US Air force wont retire the aircraft. This deal started as a negotiation with the Biden administration when the 747s on order where delayed, as the US Air force has wanted an additional aircraft since the other 2 are old and there is some concern keeping them both operational. It has concliuded with the plane being donated to the US Air force. This is not a gift to Trump. The US Government is getting this 747 and once its retired out the US Air force fleet, likely when the others are ready, it will move to the Trump Presidential library. When asking "why should the Tax payer pay" I think there are many government spending decisions that everyone has opinions on. However unfortunately or fortunately, the elected government has the power to go through the process of deciding how to spend such money. Obviously the Trump administration feel this is the right move. Regardless if we like it or not.
I find the following silly. First, the bribe story is full on BS. Second, turning this into an AF1 plane will be fiscally stupid. Why would Trump want to fly in a plane not up to AF1 standards? (Yeah, he probably is that stupid.) Even bringing it to lesser standards will take too long and cost too much. It makes no economic sense. Third, if we spend on it, we should keep it. It can...
I find the following silly. First, the bribe story is full on BS. Second, turning this into an AF1 plane will be fiscally stupid. Why would Trump want to fly in a plane not up to AF1 standards? (Yeah, he probably is that stupid.) Even bringing it to lesser standards will take too long and cost too much. It makes no economic sense. Third, if we spend on it, we should keep it. It can go on display once we no longer have need for it. Not everything Trump wants is wrong. But, it is so easy to find the ones that are crazy (like maybe consuming bleach will help with Covid). This one is crazy.
Turn it into a hotel, like they did with the other plane - Trump hotels are the pinacle of luxury in my opinion, have never had an unhappy experience in them.
There's no accounting for "taste".
There should be no accounting whatsoever when it comes to anything to do with Trump and his family. Numbers are for stupid people.
Loss of taste is a very common COVID symptom, so it may be advisable for him to take a test ASAP.
Of course this is a very bad look ethically, but can we please get the value right. There's no way this is a US$400 million plane. At most it's worth around 10% of its value nowadays i.e. around US$30-40million
https://simpleflying.com/boeing-747-8-value/
I completed my yearly government ethics course last week. In every test scenario the correct answer was if there is any doubt about something being ethical, don't do it! Nice to see the head of our executive branch leading by example.
He could still give / lent the plane to the next President as part of a bargaining chip.. Though I also don't understand how a president can take posession of something so valuable - not even speaking about it coming from a foreign government.
He is not. It is being gifted to the US Government, specificly the US Air Force. So Trump is not and will not be taking possession. Its almost as crazy as saying Trump will take the white house when he leaves, but may lend it to the next president.
But it’s been clearly stated it WONT REMAIN WITH THE AIR FORCE AFTER HE LEAVES OFFICE. Is it or isn’t it? YOU DUMB MAGA FUCKS want it both ways.
He could buy a plot near an airport to build the Presidential Library, with a taxi way to the building where it could be parked up while he’s not using it then pushed out when needed.
Infact looking on Google earth there is a large vacant plot adjacent to both PBI and Trump golf course.
This is just another one of Trumps greedy plan to screw the American people out of what little money they have. Maybe call the ultra rich should fit the bill for getting a tax break and leave the people with money so they can eat!
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...
A bribe -- and one of this magnitude -- is worth it for you as long as it "owns the libs". Got it. It's fascinating to see where and how cult members draw their lines.
The only severe TDS is continuing to pretend stealing classified docs, not sure if he needs to obey the Constitution, inciting an insurrection and running a crypto cash register is perfectly acceptable behavior for an American president. But by all means please go on about cutting off your nose to spite your unvaccinated and dewormed face. Have fun fixing your own roof after hurricane season.
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.
Hey,
I’m a frequent reader of your blog, I enjoy it and visit a few times a day. Part of the reason I enjoy it is because up until recently it was strictly about travel, hotels, points etc there are many political blogs and sites and that’s great but here was a non political area where anyone enjoying travel content can come and enjoy that.
But lately I’ve witnessed a shift first subtle...
Hey,
I’m a frequent reader of your blog, I enjoy it and visit a few times a day. Part of the reason I enjoy it is because up until recently it was strictly about travel, hotels, points etc there are many political blogs and sites and that’s great but here was a non political area where anyone enjoying travel content can come and enjoy that.
But lately I’ve witnessed a shift first subtle and now a lot more overt of bringing politics in here. I would love if we can go back to the way it was before. I also think that for the interest of the blog, politics (espcially anything with trump) is a very 50/50 issue, so no matter the way you write, it will put off the other side.
Thank you for your consideration.
@David
More politics-related topics are coming up because the current POTUS is trying to run unprecedented grifts, scams, and abuses of executive power. This isn't a left vs right thing, so get your mind out of that dichotomy. This is unprecedented criminal behavior by a sitting President. Nixon and Clinton were both impeached for far less than Trump. Bush and Obama both would have been impeached in a heartbeat had they done a quarter...
@David
More politics-related topics are coming up because the current POTUS is trying to run unprecedented grifts, scams, and abuses of executive power. This isn't a left vs right thing, so get your mind out of that dichotomy. This is unprecedented criminal behavior by a sitting President. Nixon and Clinton were both impeached for far less than Trump. Bush and Obama both would have been impeached in a heartbeat had they done a quarter of the things Trump has done. This is not normal, this is not business as usual, this is a narcissistic nepobaby abusing the most powerful office in the world for his personal benefit.
Thank you for your consideration.
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.
@Timtamtrak
That's a fair response and it makes sense. But if there are checks and balances in place, how did we arrive at a point where social security is at it's current state? This is why people don't trust when the government says "24% goes to Healthcare and 21% goes to SS". Does it really? I'd love to see the Fed wire transfers.
I'm just trying to make a point that Trump is massively...
@Timtamtrak
That's a fair response and it makes sense. But if there are checks and balances in place, how did we arrive at a point where social security is at it's current state? This is why people don't trust when the government says "24% goes to Healthcare and 21% goes to SS". Does it really? I'd love to see the Fed wire transfers.
I'm just trying to make a point that Trump is massively unethical. But the government as a whole has been unethical since it's existence.
@Alonzo
What do you mean by "Social Security is in its current state"? That parts of it will go insolvent in the next decade? Or that according to cons it's paying out most of its money to imaginary people? The first is because of demographics, you have far more people being paid by Social Security now than people paying in. The second is ragebait by conservatives who hate the idea of a social safety...
@Alonzo
What do you mean by "Social Security is in its current state"? That parts of it will go insolvent in the next decade? Or that according to cons it's paying out most of its money to imaginary people? The first is because of demographics, you have far more people being paid by Social Security now than people paying in. The second is ragebait by conservatives who hate the idea of a social safety net trying to get you to doubt the system and justify its destruction. In case you forgot, they did and are still doing the same thing with the US Postal Service.
And no, Trump's lack of ethics are not in the same ballpark, not even the same league, as the rest of government. The degree matters a lot, and Trump and his ilk WANT you to equate his corruption with government business as usual because that lets him get away with even more insane shit. It doesn't matter if he's "transparent" about it, he's still doing blatantly illegal things that would put anyone else in jail.
Wherever people and systems exist, you will have people attempting to use the system to their advantage. Federal accountability laws and offices have generally kept that to a minimum, up until GOP lawmakers and the supreme Court refused to hold Trump accountable for his actions.
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?
BINGO!
No, because Trumpsters are illiterate.
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.
I will not be the least bit surprised if the Rump Presidential Library signs a long term lease of the plane back to the Government on his last day in office. It's ALWAYS about making another buck.
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.
My concern was that one or more of the following would happen:
-The library would let Trump use the jet and either subsidize or cover its operating costs via the large amounts of money the library has been raising.
-The library would sell the jet to Trump at a bargain price.
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.
A kind of fun bit of backstory I thought you'd note about the pair of 747-8's that Boeing is modifying to be the new Air Force 1's is that they were not ordered new by the air force. These were actually ordered and manufactured for Transaero in 2013 and were mothballed when the airline went bankrupt in 2015 then sat in the Mojave desert until Trump ordered the air force to buy them in 2017...
A kind of fun bit of backstory I thought you'd note about the pair of 747-8's that Boeing is modifying to be the new Air Force 1's is that they were not ordered new by the air force. These were actually ordered and manufactured for Transaero in 2013 and were mothballed when the airline went bankrupt in 2015 then sat in the Mojave desert until Trump ordered the air force to buy them in 2017 during his first term. One of the reasons Boeing has given for this retrofit taking so long is that the planes weren't manufactured to air force specs new and instead have to be stripped down and rebuilt.
https://www.defenseone.com/business/2017/08/russian-air-force-one-boeing-trump-747/139872/
Come on….he will use the plane until at least the library gets built (that will be the first change in his story). Then he will just keep flying it until he dies (the second change).
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.