A few years ago, the pentagon was preparing plans to replace air force one. This is something that has happened several times in the past; the planes used to ferry the president have a life span and they do get replaced.
So during the Biden administration, the pentagon talked with Boeing about a replacement aircraft. Boeing, being the only US-based airplane company capable of creating an aircraft of that size, said this was going to be a problem. As you know, Boeing has been having some quality issues and are waaaay behind on orders.
So they suggested around 10 Boeing aircraft that had been sold around the world, with a smaller number of flight hours, that were for sale, and which might serve as a frame that could be built on to make it suitable for Air Force one.
The pentagon investigated that list and narrowed in on one aircraft: the 747 that Qatar owned as a luxury aircraft and were willing to sell to the US government.
And then T-rump comes along and starts grifting. He visits Qatar and they show him the aircraft. He proudly announces that it's a gift, and it's luxurious. And he wants it!
The problems with his statements are many. But there is no evidence to support they were "giving it away"… that's what he said. And surely they let him think that, in exchange for whatever they want in return.
…and everyone lost their minds about this airplane. So many opinions that had no substance.
And then this week, the pentagon closed a deal to acquire the aircraft. No mention of the cost, whether it's a gift, and so on. And the media just runs with it, because what do they care? They have a bias and they let that run…
It will take years for this aircraft to be ready to fly as air force one. And when it does, it will look nothing like it does now. The luxury part that dingleberry talked about won't exist.
But it was all just a part of the normal activity. That got blown out of proportion because he said something stupid (I know, par for the course).
