Trump takes first flight on Qatari-gifted Air Force One to North Dakota

President Donald Trump flew for the first time on Wednesday aboard a retrofitted Boeing 747 that Qatar gifted to the United States, a $400 million luxury jet that will temporarily serve as Air Force One. The plane, painted in Trump's preferred navy-blue, red, and gold scheme, features plush carpets, lie-flat seats, wood paneling, and presidential seal seat belts Source: AP News. Trump told reporters, 'You can do two things: You can low-key it, or you can show it' Source: AP News.

The new plane

Trump accepted the jet in May 2025 despite criticism over ethics and cost. The Air Force spent less than $400 million on security upgrades Source: AP News. Trump said the US 'couldn’t build a plane like this' and praised Qatar's spending Source: CNN. The plane is intended as a bridge until two new US-built Boeing 747-800s, expected in 2028, are delivered Source: CNA, CNN.

The flight

The maiden voyage carried Trump to North Dakota for the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, timed with the nation's 250th anniversary Source: Ground News, SCMP. Trump also spoke with an AI version of Teddy Roosevelt about the Panama Canal Source: Gizmodo.

Social media scrutiny

A photo posted by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt showed shelves with books labeled 'Library,' 'Arts,' and 'Architecture,' prompting speculation that they were AI-generated. However, analysis suggests the photo is real, and the books are likely fake physical props . Separately, Trump posted an AI-generated image of a golden eagle on the White House .