20.06.2026 11:20
US President Donald Trump introduced the new presidential aircraft Air Force One at a ceremony held at Joint Base Andrews. Trump announced that they will also visit Turkey as part of their overseas trips with the new plane.
US President Donald Trump introduced the Boeing 747, donated by Qatar and put into service as the new presidential aircraft after modernization work, at a ceremony held at Andrews Joint Base.
FIRST VISIT COULD BE TO TURKEY
Trump, stating that he will carry out numerous overseas visits with the new Air Force One, said he would also go to Turkey as part of these trips. Noting that he will go to China again within the year, Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the US in September, and that they will later visit that country again for a major conference in China.
UNMATCHED
Trump, describing the new Boeing 747 as the world's most luxurious aircraft, stated that the plane has unmatched communication systems and state-of-the-art defense equipment. Trump, explaining that the aircraft was transformed into a flying White House in as little as 10 months, thanked the personnel involved in the project. Trump also shared the information that the new Air Force One will lead a major air show, accompanied by many fighter jets, at the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the US, to be held in the capital Washington.
Noting that his return from the G7 Summit in France was the last planned flight carried out with the current VC-25A type Air Force One, which has been in use for about 35 years, Trump stated that the old presidential planes will be restored and displayed in museums.
GIFT CONTROVERSY HAD SPARKED CRISIS
The revelation that the aircraft was donated to the US sparked debate among both Democrats and Republicans. Critics argued that a gift of this magnitude could create a conflict of interest and might be unconstitutional.
The White House, however, emphasized that the plane was given to the US Department of Defense, not to Trump, stating that the process was legal.
In response to criticism, Trump said, "They are giving us a free plane. It would be foolish not to accept it on behalf of our country."
QATAR: THIS IS AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRANSACTION
Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in a statement to CNN, said the process had nothing to do with personal relationships.
Al Thani stated, "This is an intergovernmental transaction between two defense ministries. Why would we need to buy influence in the US?" arguing that Qatar is a reliable partner for Washington.