President Trump pushes to accelerate the modernization of Air Force One to reflect American strength.
President Trump has intensified efforts to speed up the replacement of Air Force One, viewing the aircraft as a symbol of American strength. After returning to office, the administration announced that officials would search globally for a747-8, including a Qatari-owned jet, to potentially shave years off the modernization timeline. The project has faced delays, and President Trump has been focused on the investment since 2016. He was briefed on the engineering and defense systems of the aircraft by retired Air Force General Carlton D. Everhart II. To address the slow pace of work, the administration announced that Elon Musk was tasked with identifying ways to accelerate Boeing's production. The modernization effort is estimated to cost $5.1 billion and is expected to be completed by 2028. While a Qatari aircraft was considered as a contingency, officials noted it would still require over $1 billion in modifications to become fully operational as the primary presidential transport.