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President Trump criticized the current Air Force One as outdated and undersized, defended accepting a luxury 747-8 from Qatar, and lamented delays in the delivery of the new presidential aircraft.
Donald Trump stated that the country "should have the most impressive plane" compared to those used by other world leaders.
UPDATED: May 14, 2025 05:07 IST
US President Donald Trump stated that the country "should have the most impressive plane" compared to those used by other world leaders. He criticized the current Air Force One, calling it "much smaller" and "much less impressive" than aircraft used by other nations.
“When you land and you see Saudi Arabia and you see UAE and you can see Qatar and you see all these — they have these brand-new Boeing 747s, mostly, ” Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity during an interview aboard Air Force One. “And you see ours next to it; this is like a totally different plane.” “It’s much smaller, it’s much less impressive — as impressive as it is,” Trump added.
The President added, “With the United States of America, I believe that we should have the most impressive plane.”
Trump also said there’s no reason to avoid accepting a donated plane from Qatar. “Some people say, ‘Oh, you shouldn’t accept gifts for the country.’ My attitude is, why wouldn’t I accept a gift?” We’re giving to everybody else, why wouldn’t I accept a gift?. It’s going to be a couple of years, I think, before the Boeings are finished,” Trump said.
Trump's statement comes as he defends his administration's decision to accept a luxurious Boeing 747-8 aircraft as a gift from Qatar's ruling family. Dismissing criticism from Democrats over the move, he labeled them "world-class losers."
The current pair of Air Force One aircraft - heavily customised Boeing 747-200Bs - have been in use since the early 1990s and are nearing the end of their operational lifespan. They feature sophisticated defence systems, radiation shielding, encrypted communications, and airborne command capabilities, designed to protect and connect the president during crises.
During Trump's first term, a contract was signed with Boeing for two new 747-8s to replace the ageing fleet, with delivery initially expected in 2024. However, the timeline has slipped repeatedly. A senior US Air Force official testified to Congress last week that the aircraft are now unlikely to be ready before 2027.
Published By:
Aashish Vashistha
Published On:
May 14, 2025
