Trump unveils the new Air Force One, a converted Qatari jet

President Donald Trump unveiled the new Air Force One on Friday, a converted Qatari-owned jumbo jet that will serve as the official U.S. presidential aircraft. The exterior features a new color scheme, with the underbelly painted navy blue and a red stripe, deviating from the traditional robin’s egg blue. The presidential seal is displayed on the left side, and a large American flag adorns the tail. Trump praised the "workmanship" of the plane during a ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base. This jet is intended as a "bridge" aircraft, expected to be used until new planes ordered directly from Boeing are delivered, currently slated for 2028. The U.S. administration formally accepted the Boeing 747 jet from Qatar last year, a move that raised ethical and legal questions due to its significant value. Trump previously stated he would donate the Qatari jet to a future presidential library upon leaving office. The Air Force estimated security modifications for the jet would cost under $400 million. Trump's initial push to redesign the presidential airplane's color scheme occurred during his first administration, aiming for a look similar to his personal aircraft. This decision was later reversed by then-President Joe Biden in March 2023, following an Air Force review that indicated darker colors could increase costs and delay new jet deliveries.