Aboard the aging Air Force One, Donald Trump didn’t hold back when describing his disappointment with the presidential aircraft’s outdated design. In an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Trump emphasized that the aircraft, nearly 40 years old, paled in comparison to newer jets used by leaders in Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. ‘The plane that you are on right now is almost 40 years old,’ he said, underscoring his point with visible frustration over America’s aerial image. 

Trump compared the current Air Force One to its sleeker, more luxurious counterparts in the Middle East, calling it ‘much smaller and less impressive.’ He stressed that the visual difference between the U.S. plane and others used by foreign heads of state was stark. ‘We are the United States of America,’ Trump asserted, ‘I believe we should have the most impressive plane.’ For him, the optics of presidential travel go beyond function—they reflect global power and status.

His long-standing dissatisfaction with Boeing surfaced again as he criticized delays in delivering the new Air Force One fleet. Trump noted that despite his administration signing a contract for new jets, production had stalled. ‘I’m not happy with Boeing,’ he said, adding, ‘It’s pretty much the same plane with a new paint color.’ The project’s timeline has now stretched into 2029, with ballooning costs exceeding $5 billion.

In response to those delays, Trump accepted a luxurious Boeing 747-8 jet from Qatar, a move that sparked both intrigue and criticism. The aircraft, designed by the French firm Alberto Pinto Cabinet, features lavish interiors and enhanced fuel efficiency. Trump defended the decision as practical and symbolic, stating, ‘Why wouldn’t I accept a gift? We are giving to everybody else.’ He portrayed the exchange as a logical return on decades of U.S. global investment.

Criticism from within the Defense Department didn’t faze Trump, who dismissed ethical concerns with characteristic bluntness. ‘There are those that say we shouldn’t be accepting gifts in the Defense Department and I would say only a stupid person would say that,’ Trump stated. He also reinforced his reasoning by saying, ‘We give a lot of gifts, too many gifts to be honest with you.’ Trump maintained that global U.S. aid often went unreciprocated, unlike this gesture from Qatar.

Despite the aircraft’s appeal, significant technical upgrades would be required before it could serve as Air Force One. The plane would need secure communications, missile defense systems, and midair refueling capabilities to meet presidential security standards. While luxurious in design, its acceptance has reignited debate over protocol, optics, and what defines a true representation of American power.