▲ The Boeing 747-8 aircraft gifted to U.S. President Donald Trump by Qatar
U.S. President Donald Trump has made a surprise unveiling of a new interim presidential aircraft worth 600 billion won, gifted to him by Qatar.
On June 19 (local time), President Trump appeared at the boarding gate of the Boeing 747 jumbo jet parked in a hangar at Joint Base Andrews.
Although the White House had initially announced that the event was for the President to meet with Air Force personnel, it served as a pretext for the unveiling of the new Air Force One.
Despite facing intense criticism for signing a memorandum of understanding to end the war with Iran, President Trump appeared full of smiles.
President Trump expressed his satisfaction, stating, "This aircraft has been transformed into a 'White House in the sky' with a level of luxury no one has ever seen before."
He added that the plane is twice the size of the existing presidential aircraft and that its design and color scheme perfectly suit his personal taste.
"When this plane lands at an airport, no one can top it," President Trump emphasized.
He had previously expressed significant frustration over the delay in the delivery of the new official presidential aircraft until 2028, and he has now secured a customized plane that he can use immediately in the interim.
Unlike the traditional Air Force One, which features a calm sky-blue livery, this aircraft is painted in a vibrant combination of navy, red, and gold.
The controversy lies in the fact that the plane was a gift received from the Qatari government during President Trump's tour of the Middle East in May of last year.
With the aircraft alone valued at $400 million—approximately 610 billion won—the high-value gift has sparked a wave of criticism.
However, President Trump dismissed the concerns, stating, "Only a fool would refuse," showing no regard for the surrounding scrutiny.
The President plans to use the jet during his term and display it at his presidential library after he leaves office.
He drew a line, asserting that there is no issue since it is not for personal use.
The U.S. Air Force explained that an additional $400 million would be required just to retrofit the plane for presidential use.
Beyond the massive costs, concerns are also being raised about whether a plane previously used by a foreign entity can meet the security requirements necessary for the transport of the nation's highest-ranking official.
Once the aircraft passes test flights conducted by the crew, it will be officially incorporated into the presidential transport fleet.
The two existing Air Force One jets, which have been in service for over 30 years since the administration of former President George H.W. Bush, will not be retired and will continue to perform their duties.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.