Trump Accused of Accepting Jet from Qatar...But the Deal Started Under Biden?

Senator Markwayne Mullen tells Jake Tapper of CNN, the Qatar deal to give the U.S. a 747 began a year ago under the Biden administration. There are only two Air Force One planes, both over 40 years old. But the backup plane had structural issues making it unfit to fly. And because Boeing is years behind on building two new jets specifically for the U.S., the Biden administration apparently set up a deal with Qatar for one of their jets. The Trump administration is simply trying to expedite the process as Boein recently confirmed production is further delayed.

Is there no reporter who can pick up a phone and talk to the Air Force to confirm the timeline? Indeed, the Air Force has long advocated for a third, younger jet to serve as a backup when the current VC-25As is undergoing maintenance.

In terms of security: L3Harris, already involved in the VC-25B program as a communications systems provider for Boeing, now bears the responsibility of modernizing the ex-Qatari 747. The task includes installing specialized systems necessary to transform the luxury aircraft into one fit for transporting the Commander-in-Chief [Aviacionline.com).