Updated

Updated · Yahoo New Zealand News · Aug 5

Trump Drops $400 Million Qatari Jet Library Plan as Security Gaps Cloud Its Future

Updated

Updated · Yahoo New Zealand News · Aug 5

Trump Drops $400 Million Qatari Jet Library Plan as Security Gaps Cloud Its Future

Q: If the Qatar-donated 747 may never reach Trump’s Miami library, which aircraft is actually most likely to be displayed there?

The aircraft most likely to be displayed at Trump’s Miami library appears to be an older Air Force One plane, especially VC-25A tail number 29000, rather than the Qatar-donated 747. That is the plane Eric Trump pointed to in discussing library plans, saying tail number 29000 could be placed “at the base” of the library because of its long presidential history. It is one of the two aging VC-25A aircraft that have served presidents since 1990, and it is closely associated with major moments in modern presidential travel, including service during George W. Bush’s presidency after 9/11. That option also fits the uncertainty now surrounding the Qatari 747. The White House says no final decision has been made on whether that aircraft, another plane, or any aircraft at all will go to the library. Reporting also says Trump had considered keeping the Qatar-donated jet in service while retiring one of the older Air Force One planes for display instead. The practical case for 29000 is stronger because it is already a historic presidential aircraft with a defined service record, while the Qatari 747 remains tied up in retrofit, security, and ethics questions. It is being used as an interim presidential aircraft until the newer VC-25B replacements arrive, making a museum transfer less certain in the near term. So, if the Qatar-donated jet never arrives in Miami, tail number 29000 is the clearest and most plausible candidate.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo New Zealand News · Aug 5

Eric Trump said the Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8 is no longer slated for the Trump presidential library in Miami, leaving its post-presidency destination unclear.
Security concerns drove the reversal: the jet entered service in July but lacked some defensive systems, including proper antimissile capabilities, prompting Trump to switch back to the older Air Force One after a NATO trip to Turkey.
Trump later acknowledged the aircraft would be taken out of service for upgrades, while the White House opened a probe into The New York Times after reporting on the security shortcomings.
The $400 million plane has drawn broader scrutiny since Qatar donated it to the Defense Department, with Senator Chris Murphy pressing Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth on whether Trump could remove it from federal inventory after leaving office.