Air Force One Retires a Veteran Jet Amidst Qatari Gift Controversy

Communications director Steven Cheung and Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley confirmed the aircraft's final flight following a return from the G7 summit in France. The jet, which entered service in 1990, carried every president since George H.W. Bush. While the White House has remained tight-lipped on specific fleet transitions, reports indicate the administration is eyeing the Qatari-gifted Boeing 747 for an inaugural trip to Mount Rushmore next month. The Air Force confirmed the new addition, designated as the VC-25B Bridge aircraft, will soon join the active lineup alongside existing VC-25A and C-32 units.

The inclusion of the Qatari jet has ignited significant debate regarding the ethics of accepting high-value gifts from foreign powers. Critics have voiced security concerns over integrating an aircraft sourced from abroad into a platform requiring ultra-sensitive countermeasures, such as radar-jamming systems and missile-deflection technology. Despite these objections, the administration has moved forward with the acquisition. President Trump previously dismissed the controversy, describing the refusal of such a gift as illogical. Meanwhile, the broader effort to modernize the presidential fleet remains stalled, as Boeing continues to struggle with delays and rising costs on the delivery of two new 747-8 aircraft.