United States President Donald Trump, on Friday, unveiled a new presidential jet gifted to the United States by Qatar, describing it as a “flying White House.”
Speaking inside the aircraft’s hangar at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Trump hailed the luxury jet as “the world’s most luxurious plane” and thanked Qatar for providing it.
“This is considered the world’s most luxurious plane,” Trump said. “And I want to thank the emir of Qatar.”
The aircraft, reportedly valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, has sparked ethical, constitutional and security concerns in the United States. Critics have questioned the acceptance of such an expensive gift from a foreign government.
Trump has previously dismissed those concerns, saying it would be “stupid” to reject the aircraft. He also drew scrutiny after suggesting that the jet could eventually be donated to his presidential library.
At Friday’s unveiling, Trump praised the extensive modifications made to the aircraft, saying it had been transformed into a “flying White House” through the efforts of those involved in the project.
“With the extraordinary devotion of many of you here today, this plane was transformed into a flying White House at a level of luxury that nobody’s ever seen before,” he said.
“When you see it, you won’t believe it, actually, the quality of woods, the quality of the materials, the quality of the engines.”
A journalist who toured the aircraft reported that it features leather seats, plush carpets, wooden panelling and walls decorated in tan, light brown and gold tones.
The interior also features patriotic artwork, such as a framed print of a duck swimming in the Reflecting Pool, a prominent Washington landmark.
Repeatedly highlighting the aircraft’s capabilities, Trump said it “flies further and faster than any Air Force One.”
He added that the jet could take part in a flyover during celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of US Independence on July 4.
Trump has long pushed for a replacement of the presidential aircraft, which have been in service since the 1990s. On Thursday, White House officials formally bid farewell to one of the two heavily modified Boeing 747 aircraft that have transported US presidents for decades, fueling speculation that the new jet would soon be unveiled.
Unlike the outgoing aircraft, which featured a blue-and-white exterior, the new jet has a navy-blue underbelly, a red stripe and a white upper fuselage.
Any aircraft carrying a sitting US president officially uses the call sign Air Force One.
Meanwhile, the US government continues to await delivery of two new Boeing 747-8 aircraft intended for the presidential fleet, a programme that has faced years of delays and cost overruns.
AFP.
