President Donald Trump is contemplating the inaugural flight of the new Air Force One jet, which was donated by Qatar, during his visit to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota next month. This trip is part of the celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary, according to a senior White House official and a source familiar with the plans. No final decision has been made, but the retrofitting of the $400 million aircraft is nearing completion. White House officials are discussing the possibility of this flight coinciding with Trump’s planned visit on July 3.
The Defense Department accepted the donation from Qatar last year amid bipartisan criticism regarding the security and ethics of using the aircraft for official purposes. Aviation experts estimate that the overall project could exceed $1 billion due to the installation of various top-secret systems.
The White House has indicated that the jet will be transferred to Trump’s presidential library foundation by January 2029, which would require the removal of sensitive government equipment. Trump’s Mount Rushmore appearance is among several events scheduled around July 4 to commemorate the nation’s founding.
The new Boeing 747 has been painted in a red, white, and blue color scheme, replacing the current design associated with Jackie Kennedy, which features robin’s egg blue and white. Air Force One refers to any aircraft carrying the president, and there are multiple planes available for this purpose, including two VC-25A 747s currently in use and a fleet of modified C-32A aircraft for other senior officials. The new Qatari aircraft, designated VC-25B Bridge, is expected to enter service this summer, while the VC-25As will remain operational as Air Force One options.