Latest news with #TrumpPresidentialLibraryFoundation
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Air Force pegs cost to modify Qatar-gifted plane at ‘less than $400M'
The Air Force estimates it will cost less than $400 million to modify a luxury aircraft gifted from the Qatari government into President Donald Trump's flying command center, according to the service's top civilian official. That projection is far less than the $1 billion congressional democrats and some aviation experts have said would be required to harden the plane's defenses and install the countermeasures, encrypted communications and other capabilities needed to fulfill the Air Force One mission. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said Thursday in a House Armed Services Committee hearing that the assumptions some are making about the modification costs include things like training and buying spare parts — expenses the service has already accounted for through its broader VC-25B presidential aircraft program. While the Air Force may now need to procure those things earlier, it won't be paying for them twice. 'There's been a number thrown around on the order of a billion dollars,' Meink said, adding later, 'It's probably less than $400 million to retrofit that aircraft.' The White House announced last month it would accept Qatar's offer to gift the president a modified Boeing 747-8, worth roughly $400 million. The plan is to use the gifted plane throughout the rest of Trump's term and then donate it to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation after Trump leaves office. The Air Force, which will oversee the upgrades, hasn't provided details on the scope or schedule of the modifications or confirmed who will perform the work. The Wall Street Journal reported in May that L3Harris has been tapped to convert the aircraft at a facility in Texas and expects to complete the upgrades later this year. The Air Force is already in the midst of a major modernization program, started in 2015, to convert two 747-8 aircraft through the VC-25B presidential aircraft program. Boeing is under a $3.9 billion fixed-price contract to conduct the modifications. Deliveries were previously slated for last year, but have since been pushed to 2029 — a delay that has frustrated Trump. The president on his social media platform Truth Social last month described Qatar's offer of a 747-8 to fill that gap as 'a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE' to the Defense Department. Democrats have taken issue with the deal on multiple levels, criticizing the president's acceptance of a $400 million aircraft from a foreign government as a conflict of interest and claiming the cost to turn it into an airborne situation room could balloon to billions of dollars. During Thursday's hearing, Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., raised the issue of the modification costs, speculating they will fall closer to $1 billion or more. He also called for greater transparency from DOD on what that price tag will be. 'Based on the experience that we already have gone through with retrofitting planes, 747s, it's clear that this is going to be a drain on the Air Force's budget,' he said. 'I think that the sooner we just sort of rip the Band-Aid off and get that information out there, it would be helpful for us in terms of deciding whether this is a smart path to go down.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bessent Defends Trump's Jet Gift With Ridiculous Comparison
Scott Bessent compared apples to oranges while defending Donald Trump's acceptance of a $400 million jet from Qatar. 'The French gave us the Statue of Liberty, the British gave us the Resolute Desk,' the Treasury Secretary said in an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper. 'I'm not sure they asked for anything in advance.' Trump said earlier this week he'd have to be 'stupid' not to accept the Boeing 747-8 'flying palace' from the Qatari royal family. Critics have expressed concerns about what Qatar expects in return. Tapper pushed back, pointing out the crucial difference between the Statue of Liberty and the lavish airliner: The iconic landmark remains the property of the U.S. government, while the Qatari jet will be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation ahead of the president's departure from office. 'I will just say about the Statue of Liberty, I mean that was authorised by Congress and it belongs to the American people, it doesn't belong to whoever was president at the time,' Tapper said. The same can be said of the Resolute Desk, which was given to the United States by Great Britain in 1880 to mark the friendship between the two nations. The Resolute Desk remains in the Oval Office. Bessent disputed plans for handing the gift over to Trump's fund once he leaves office, telling the network: 'Well, I think that this plane would be a gift to the American government.' Later that morning, he also claimed in a separate interview with NBC's Meet the Press that talks about taking receipt of the luxury jet had actually begun under the administration of former President Joe Biden, accusing mainstream media outlets of using the multi-million dollar gift to detract from Trump's recent visit to the Middle East. 'I think this is an offramp for many in the media not to acknowledge what an incredible trip this was,' he said. 'Every stop we made, the enthusiasm in Saudi Arabia, in Qatar, in the United Arab Emirates, to invest in the United States, they want to push more and more of their funds here.'
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hillary Clinton breaks silence on Trump's controversial $400m Qatari jet
Hillary Clinton has reacted with disdain to President Donald Trump's decision to accept a $400m Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet as a gift from Qatar's royal family, warning him that the givers will expect something 'in return' for their generosity. 'No one gives someone a $400 million jet for free without expecting anything in return. Be serious,' the former U.S. first lady, secretary of state and Democratic presidential candidate wrote on X on Wednesday. Clinton lost the 2016 presidential election to Trump – a period that saw his supporters chant 'Lock her up!' at his rallies – but she has remained a thorn in his side ever since, often pouring scorn on his actions from the sidelines as a pundit. Trump was in Qatar on Wednesday as part of the first major overseas trip of his second term. He also visited Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and will head to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday. But the diplomatic mission has been overshadowed by ethics concerns about his decision to accept the jet, which he intends to use as a replacement for Air Force One. He dismissed the unease by saying that only a 'stupid person' would have rejected such an offer. Trump's Department of Justice lawyers have swiftly ruled that accepting the gift would break no laws. Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House lawyer David Warrington said the donation of the aircraft would be 'legally permissible' given that its ownership would be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation before the end of his term. But Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres, for one, has expressed his outrage and written to the Government Accountability Office to blast the gesture as a 'flying grift,' arguing that it violates the U.S. Constitution's emoluments clause. Columbia Law School Professor Richard Briffault has meanwhile told NPR that if Trump retains ownership of the plane after leaving office, in spite of his claim on Truth Social that it will ultimately be given to the Department of Defense, 'then it's not really a gift to the United States at all' and instead amounts to a 'pretty textbook case of a violation of the emoluments clause.' Professor Briffault further warned, like Clinton, that accepting any present leaves the recipient beholden to the gift-giver, arguing that gestures like Qatar's are 'designed to create good feelings for the recipient and to get some kind of reciprocity.' Another major cause of concern is the eye-watering cost of retrofitting the jet, reportedly so luxurious inside as to amount to 'a flying palace,' to make it an acceptable substitute for the presidential plane. Experts warn that it would take several years and require billions of dollars in further investment from the American taxpayer to ensure it meets the necessary standards to replace Air Force One. It would require secure communications, electromagnetic shielding, and in-flight refueling capabilities, to name just three necessary upgrades. A private contractor would, in all probability, have to rip the plane apart before it was fit for use, and aviation experts cited by NBC News have put the bill at $1bn, more than twice the plane's worth.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why Trump's Qatar plane ignited a fierce political debate and could cost more than $1bn
President Donald Trump's decision to accept a $400m Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet as a gift from Qatar's royal family has created a furore that threatens to overshadow the first major overseas trip of his second term to the Middle East. Trump has already visited Saudi Arabia and is in Doha on Wednesday before making an appearance in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday. His decision to brush aside ethical concerns about accepting the plane and insistence that only a 'stupid person' would decline a proposed upgrade on Air Force One has invited plenty of criticism back home. Aviation experts cited by NBC News have meanwhile pointed out that the cost of retrofitting the plane to make it an appropriate substitute for the existing presidential transport could drive the cost up to as much as $1bn. That is more than twice the plane's current cost, and American taxpayers would be expected to pay the check. Why is it controversial? Trump's Department of Justice lawyers have moved swiftly to rule that accepting the gift would break no laws. Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House lawyer David Warrington said the donation of the aircraft would be 'legally permissible' given that its ownership would be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation before the end of his term. However, Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres, unconvinced by that argument, has written to the Government Accountability Office to blast the deal as a 'flying grift.' Torres argued that the present violates the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution, which 'explicitly prohibits any person holding public office from accepting 'any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.'' Richard Briffault, a Columbia Law School professor who specializes in government ethics, has meanwhile told NPR that if Trump retains ownership of the plane after leaving office, in spite of his claim on Truth Social that it will ultimately be given to the Department of Defense, 'then it's not really a gift to the United States at all' and instead amounts to a 'pretty textbook case of a violation of the emoluments clause.' Professor Briffault further warned that accepting any present leaves the recipient beholden to the gift-giver, arguing that gestures like Qatar's are 'designed to create good feelings for the recipient and to get some kind of reciprocity.' He noted that an American president might be expected to change policy positions or grant weapons deals in exchange. He pointed out that the situation acts as an 'incentive to other countries to give similar gifts as another way of influencing presidential decision-making.' Would it really be 'free'? The Qatari plane is reportedly so luxurious inside that it has been described as a 'flying palace.' It has two full bathrooms, nine lavatories, a master bedroom and a guest bedroom, multiple lounges, and a private office. However, it would take several years and require billions of dollars in further investment to ensure it meets the necessary standards to stand in for Air Force One. These standards would require secure communications, electromagnetic shielding, and in-flight refueling capabilities. A private contractor would, in all probability, have to rip the plane apart before it was fit for use. 'This isn't really a gift,' Rep. Joe Courtney, a top Democrat on the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, told Politico. 'You'd basically have to tear the plane down to the studs and rebuild it to meet all the survivability, security, and communications requirements of Air Force One. It's a massive undertaking – and an unfunded one at that.' 'You're taking a 747, disassembling it, reassembling it, and then jacking it up to a very high level,' agreed Richard Aboulafia, a managing director at AeroDynamic Advisory, when the project was put to him by NBC, emphasizing the sheer scale of the undertaking. Maintenance and operational costs are also expensive propositions when it comes to presidential planes. According to a 2021 internal Pentagon estimate, a single Boeing VC-25 B costs more than $2.5bn, with an additional $7.7bn in projected long-term operations and support costs over 30 years. When would it be ready to replace Air Force One? Completing the retrofitting work before Trump leaves office in January 2028 would be 'impossible,' officials told The Washington Post, somewhat defeating the point, so far as the Republican is concerned. The U.S. also already has a pair of VC-25 Bs currently being completed to stringent military standards at home, further negating the need for the new jet. However, neither of those is expected to be ready until 2027. What has Trump said? Speaking to Fox News host Sean Hannity aboard Air Force One this week, Trump appeared not to understand why the gesture had provoked such outrage. 'Why wouldn't I accept a gift?' he asked, pointing out to Hannity how 'much smaller' and 'much less impressive' the present presidential plane is compared to the newer model. 'The plane that you are on right now is almost 40 years old,' he griped. 'When you land and you see Saudi Arabia, and you see [the UAE], and you see Qatar, and you see all these – they have these brand new Boeing 747s mostly. 'And you see ours next to it. This is like a totally different plane. It's much smaller, it's much less impressive... We're the United States of America – I believe we should have the most impressive plane.' What has the reaction been? Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on X: 'Nothing says 'America First' like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar. It's not just bribery, it's premium foreign influence with extra legroom.' Perhaps more surprisingly, far-right activist Laura Loomer from Trump's own MAGA movement has also opposed the gesture, writing on the same platform: 'I love President Trump. I would take a bullet for him. But, I have to call a spade a spade. We cannot accept a $400 million 'gift' from jihadists in suits. 'The Qataris fund the same Iranian proxies in Hamas and Hezbollah who have murdered U.S. service members. The same proxies that have worked with the Mexican cartels to get jihadists across our border. 'This is really going to be such a stain on the admin if this is true. And I say that as someone who would take a bullet for Trump. I'm so disappointed.' Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro likewise called the decision 'skeezy.' 'Taking sacks of goodies from people who support Hamas, Muslim Brotherhood, al-Jazeera, all the rest, that's not America First,' he said. 'I think if we switch the names to Hunter Biden and Joe Biden, we'd all be freaking out on the right.' Another Republican influencer, radio host Mark Levin, accused Qatar of having a history of spreading 'anti-American' propaganda. 'Their jet and all the other things they are buying in our country does not provide them with the cover they seek,' he added.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jon Stewart Blasts Trump for Accepting $400 Million Qatar Jet: ‘He's Like the Reverse Oprah'
Jon Stewart found it hard Monday night to keep up with the Trump administration's many, wild announcements from the past week. 'So much comes at us every day with [Trump]. I can't even sleep, organize thoughts, eat,' the 'Daily Show' host began Monday. 'And he knows! He knows he's toying with us.' The comedian went on to briefly discuss White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller's remark that Donald Trump is considering suspending habeas corpus, before turning his attention fully to President Trump's acceptance of a luxury jet from the royal family of Qatar. The jet in question will reportedly be used as the new Air Force One and then transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation before Trump leaves office. 'Qatar is giving us a plane that … Trump gets to keep? He's like the reverse Oprah,' a visibly confused, frustrated Stewart remarked. Tightly gripping his stack of papers, Stewart continued, 'Why does his library … need a jet?' Calling the plane a 'flying f—k palace,' Stewart reflected on Qatar's status as an ally to not only America but also Iran, China and Hamas. 'Trump's going to take a $400 million jet from people he would expel from Columbia University,' the 'Daily Show' host joked. You can watch the full segment yourself in the video below. Stewart went on to blast Trump for characterizing Qatar's offer as simply him getting a free plane. 'It's not a free jet. That's the point. You know the expression, 'There's no such thing as a free lunch'? That's about being skeptical of the motives of somebody who gives you a sandwich. A sandwich! A B.L.T.,' Stewart said. 'Now imagine that B.L.T. has an engine, nine bathrooms and funds proxy wars.' Trying to cover as many of Trump's moves over the past week as he could, Stewart shifted focus to the president's signing of an executive order designed to reduce the prices of pharmaceutical drugs in America. 'I like this!' Stewart exclaimed. During his explanation of his plan, however, Trump said that his administration is going to 'equalize' the cost of pharmaceutical drugs and remarked that 'equalizing' was a new word he'd come up with. In response, Stewart mockingly pulled out a dictionary and double-checked to make sure 'equalize' was already there. 'I thought it sounded familiar,' he quipped. Ultimately, the 'Daily Show' host found it impossible to come to grips with all of the announcements, updates and news that have come and continue to come from the Trump administration at such a relentless pace. 'He's trying to kill us all,' Stewart half-jokingly observed. 'It feels like a decade ago that they threatened to suspend habeas corpus — it was Friday,' the comedian added. 'Since then, we've had the largest bribe ever given to an American president, the seeming surrender of a trade war we started and the socializing of our pharmaceutical industry … What even is this country?' The post Jon Stewart Blasts Trump for Accepting $400 Million Qatar Jet: 'He's Like the Reverse Oprah' | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
