Trump Pulled Qatari Air Force One From Service as $400 Million Retrofit Left Security Gaps
Updated
Updated · ms.now · Jul 27
Trump Pulled Qatari Air Force One From Service as $400 Million Retrofit Left Security Gaps
3 articles · Updated · ms.now · Jul 27
Summary
Trump temporarily took the Qatari-donated jet out of service last week after using it for a NATO trip to Turkey but not for the return flight, as security upgrades were still needed.
An eight-month rush to make the Boeing 747-8 ready by the nation’s 250th birthday led to trade-offs in secure communications and military defenses, according to the latest New York Times reporting.
About $400 million in publicly acknowledged upgrades was only part of the cost; the government also spent hundreds of millions more on pilot-training equipment, with some funding drawn from a classified nuclear modernization budget.
The episode adds to legal and political scrutiny over Trump’s acceptance of a foreign-donated aircraft and could fuel congressional oversight, especially if Democrats regain a majority.