Authored by Jacob Burg via The Epoch Times,
Ahead of a trip to North Dakota on July 1 to honor the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, President Donald Trump officially debuted a refurbished Boeing 747-8 luxury jet that will serve as the interim Air Force One.
President Donald Trump pumps his fist after touring the inside of the newest aircraft in the presidential fleet at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on June 19, 2026. The Qatari royal family gifted the $400 million, Boeing 747-8 to be used as the new Air Force One. Alex Wong/Getty ImagesSet to open on Saturday in Medora, North Dakota, the 96,000-square-foot facility is carved out of local soil and overlooks the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, among the rugged Badlands where the former president spent many of his formative years.
Trump is honoring Roosevelt ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary on July 4, and Wednesday's trip marks the new plane's inaugural flight as the interim Air Force One.
The Qatari government gifted the $400 million Boeing 747-8 luxury jet to the federal government last year, and it is one of the largest gifts Washington has ever received.
At the time, the gift drew scrutiny from across the political spectrum, including among some of the president's base.
When the Air Force first unveiled the plane earlier this month, it said the modified jet was up to the military's security standards.
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