"The Air Force remains committed to expediting delivery of the VC-25 bridge aircraft in support of the Presidential airlift mission, with an anticipated delivery no later than summer 2026. The air force added that it has accepted the Qatari gift which will be used for executive airlift. Described as a flying palace, the estimated $400m gift to Trump last year drew widespread bipartisan backlash, with lawmakers voicing ethical concerns over Qatar's motives and questioning the 13-year-old plane's security measures."
"The announcement of the gift last May came as Trump embarked on his first foreign trip since retaking office last January, choosing to visit Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia all US allies with large sovereign wealth funds. Despite the criticisms, Trump defended the gift at the time, calling it a very nice gesture and saying: Now I could be a stupid person and say:"
The Qatari royal family gifted a Boeing 747-8 to the Trump administration and the Air Force accepted it for executive airlift. Delivery of the VC-25 bridge aircraft is anticipated no later than summer 2026 as the jet is refitted to meet presidential security standards, including missile defense, secure communications and EMP protection. The estimated $400 million gift prompted bipartisan backlash and ethical concerns about Qatar's motives, plus questions about the 13-year-old plane's security. Trump defended accepting the plane and previously claimed it would be ready by February. The delivery is widely expected to coincide with the US 250th birthday on 4 July.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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