Posted on 06/18/2026 9:50:22 AM PDT by MinorityRepublican
Top White House officials on Thursday morning bade farewell to a jet that has carried U.S. presidents around the world for 35 years, as the Trump administration prepares to replace it with a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar to serve as Air Force One.
As President Donald Trump and his staff returned from France after 3 a.m. on Thursday morning, White House communications director Steven Cheung and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino posted photos of one of the highly customized, heavily fortified Boeing 747-200B jumbo jets that are called Air Force One when carrying the president.
“Well done, good and faithful servant,” Cheung wrote on X, captioning the photo as “The Last Ride.”
The White House did not immediately comment on the transition, but the Air Force announced last month that the Qatari jet had completed modification and flight testing.
The transition will cap more than a year of controversy as backlash from Democrats and some Republicans criticized the highly unusual arrangement with Qatar, which has raised ethical, legal and national security concerns.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accepted the $400 million jet as an unconditional “donation” to the Defense Department, which is responsible for its maintenance.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Dear FRiends,
We need your continuing support to keep FR funded. Your donations are our sole source of funding. No sugar daddies, no advertisers, no paid memberships, no commercial sales, no gimmicks, no tax subsidies. No spam, no pop-ups, no ad trackers.
If you enjoy using FR and agree it's a worthwhile endeavor, please consider making a contribution today:
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you,
Jim
It was OK when we accepted the statue of Liberty from France. Why not a jet airplane?
I want the President of the United States riding in the utmost safety.
Perhaps the American public can fly around in the new jet, just as the public gets to enjoy the sights and views from Liberty.
“... backlash from Democrats and some Republicans criticized the highly unusual arrangement...”
Some people aren’t happy unless they are unhappy...................
It’s temporary until Boeing finishes building the AF1 replacements.
> It was OK when we accepted the statue of Liberty from France. Why not a jet airplane? <
It’s not likely that the French hid bugging devices or any explosives in the Statue of Liberty. Yes, the Secret Service will sweep this new plane. But it’s unwise to take the chance in the first place.
Oh, and does anyone think Qatar is doing this out of the goodness of their heart? This gift kind of reminds me of:
“Someday, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me.”
- Don Vito Corleone
Can we ever be sure it isn't wired with a kill switch?
So you’re OK with the greatest President ever flying around in effectively a 35 year old used car?
Do you have a clue why the military accepted the new jet from Qatar? That’s a rhetorical question because I’m sure you don’t know. Fortunately for you as usual I do know.
Trump negotiated the price of two new presidential jets from Boeing during his first term. They are butthurt that they had to come way down on the price so they’re dragging the production/delivery date out past his term. Ergo the gift from Qatar. Where do you think Qatar got the plane? 🙄
Qatar has $ and everyone loves it in Israel and the USA IMHO.
I think I would trust the old one more. Just wait until one of the automated systems or an electronics glitch crashes the plane.
Not for overseas flights
Not fitted for refueling
Now, how about a wager on FR donations. I betting Potus keeps the jet after his term and takes it with him. You still think We will keep it and use it?
Yes, we can be sure. Mr. GG2 used to work at Boeing in Everett. He personally worked on Air Force One. His security clearance is up there with well....
Trust me that plane has been gone over with a fine tooth comb.Not to mention its in Qatar’s best interest for Trump to stay healthy. At this point I’d trust Qatar over the UK, France or Germany. No love lost with those three.
Trump claimed the modifications would be quick.
Skeptics here on FR said that modifications wouldn't be quick.
Trump was right.
US Air Force begins work on Qatar-gifted 747
By
Stephen Pope
September 16, 2025
Converting a commercial jet into a presidential aircraft is no small task. The process involves stripping existing systems and installing advanced communications suites, hardened defensive countermeasures, and other equipment capable of supporting the president and national security staff during crises. Agencies including the Secret Service, CIA, NSA, and the White House Communications Agency are expected to play roles in ensuring the aircraft meets stringent security and counterintelligence requirements.
Ludicrous and questionable security-wise as to why he accepted this jet from Qatar. Qatar is notorious for it allowing safe havens for leaders of terrorist organizations. Qatar has funded student antisemitic Muslim organizations and funded Middle East studies departments at colleges\universities through out the US. Both actions create national security problems in the US.
I don’t see “The Art of the Deal” win-win here!
Let’s load it with only democrats and RINO’s for its maiden voyage, just in case.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.