President Donald Trump on Wednesday is taking the primary trip on the newly retrofitted Air Drive One 747, which was donated by the Qatari royal household.
Trump, taking the retrofitted jet to North Dakota, touted it as “possibly the best business aircraft ever constructed.”
“I mentioned to Boeing, ‘What’s one of the best one?’ They mentioned that is one of the best aircraft ever constructed, and you are going to have the privilege of flying it, and I’ve a privilege additionally of flying it,” Trump informed reporters earlier than boarding the jet — which is roughly 14 years previous — at Joint Base Andrews.
President Donald Trump stops to talk to the media earlier than boarding Air Drive One, July 1, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
Saul Loeb/AFP through Getty Photographs
ABC Information Chief White Home Correspondent Mary Bruce, who’s touring with Trump on his journey, requested him about the usage of taxpayer {dollars} to change the luxurious aircraft, which possible solely will likely be utilized by him.
“Nicely, it value little or no relative to what it could value if we did it a unique manner,” Trump mentioned.
The within of the brand new Air Drive One is seen on its maiden voyage in images shared by Steven Cheung, Assistant to the President & White Home Director of Communications, July 1, 2026.
@StevenCheung/X
The Qatari-gifted jet value $400 million raised questions from some lawmakers and ethics specialists over the unprecedented overseas reward. However Trump on Wednesday gave credit score to the Qatari authorities.
“Frankly, we could not construct a aircraft like this as a result of we would not be keen to spend the type of cash essential. They spent prime greenback,” the president mentioned.
The newly designated Air Drive One is prepared as President Donald Trump arrives to board, July 1, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photograph
The U.S. Air Drive has been modifying the jet in Texas since September to fulfill the safety, communications and different wants to move the president. The Air Drive had estimated it could value lower than $400 million to retrofit the reward.
The aircraft is for use as the brand new Air Drive One till shortly earlier than Trump leaves workplace, at which period possession of the aircraft will likely be transferred to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Basis, sources accustomed to the proposed association have told ABC News.
President Donald Trump boards the brand new Air Drive One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, July 1, 2026.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Photographs
The brand new Air Drive One takes off with President Donald Trump aboard, from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, July 1, 2026.
Kylie Cooper/Reuters
Boeing was already contracted by the United State authorities to construct a brand new fleet of jets that will function the next-generation Air Drive One, anticipated to be delivered in 2028 across the time Trump leaves workplace.
Trump on Wednesday mentioned the gifted aircraft was wanted, citing the age of the previous jet.
“Our Air Drive One was 35, 36 years previous, and it could be parked subsequent to the brand new ones like this, and it actually did not look acceptable for our nation. So we’re very happy with this,” Trump mentioned.
Trump is touring to North Dakota to take part in a Freedom 250 Prepare Experience and Welcome Ceremony and to tour the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library earlier than delivering remarks in Medora.
President Donald Trump departs Air Drive One as he arrives at Bismarck Municipal Airport, July 1, 2026 in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Photographs
“I am excited in regards to the first flight. It is one thing no person’s ever seen something prefer it, even you individuals, with all of your expertise and your whole expertise, you’ll by no means see something like this,” Trump mentioned simply earlier than his departure. “So, they only accomplished it. They made it acceptable for a president, which means the safety and the entire completely different bells and whistles they placed on. Very advanced stuff, however it’s actually fairly one thing, and it is a aircraft that the US of America ought to have.”
