Trump tours Boeing plane to highlight aircraft maker’s delay in delivering a new Air Force One

President Trump Tours Boeing Aircraft to Highlight Air Force One Delays

President Donald Trump recently visited a 13-year-old private Boeing aircraft at Palm Beach International Airport to inspect new hardware and technology features. According to the White House, the tour was also aimed at drawing attention to the delays in delivering updated versions of Air Force One, the iconic presidential aircraft. Steven Cheung, the White House communications director, stated that the visit underscored the project’s failure to meet its original delivery timeline. The planes, which are modified Boeing 747s, have been in service for over 30 years, and the White House has been pushing for their modernization.

Background on the Air Force One Upgrade Project

Air Force One is a symbol of presidential travel, and the two Boeing 747s currently in use are more than three decades old. Boeing Inc. was contracted to produce updated versions of these planes, but the project has faced significant delays and financial challenges. Initially scheduled for delivery in 2024, the first updated Air Force One is now expected in 2027, with the second plane set to arrive in 2028, during Trump’s final year in office. The delays have been a point of contention for the president, who has publicly criticized the project’s costs and timelines.

Trump’s Role in Negotiating Costs and Delays

President Trump has been vocal about the high costs and delays associated with the Air Force One upgrade project. During his first term, he claimed to have negotiated a $1.6 billion reduction in the project’s price by taking a tough stance with Boeing. In a 2024 online chat with Elon Musk on Musk’s X social media platform, Trump boasted about his ability to secure the discount, stating, “Over a course of about four weeks, by my saying I’m not going to do it, I got the price reduced by $1.6 billion for the exact same plane, other than we had a nicer paint job, if you want to know the truth.”

Elon Musk’s Involvement in the Project

Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of Tesla and SpaceX, has been an ally to Trump in his efforts to streamline government projects, including the Air Force One upgrade. Musk, who helped fund Trump’s 2024 campaign, is leading a new Department of Government Efficiency aimed at reducing government spending, eliminating unnecessary agencies, and slashing the federal workforce. Despite criticism for his methods, Musk has reportedly been working with Boeing to expedite the delivery of the new Air Force One planes. His involvement has been seen as a controversial yet influential factor in the project’s development.

Boeing’s Challenges with the Air Force One Project

Boeing has faced significant challenges in delivering the updated Air Force One planes on time and within budget. The company has lost billions of dollars on the project, and its CEO, Kelly Ortberg, recently acknowledged the complexities of meeting the White House’s demands. Despite these challenges, Boeing remains committed to the project, and Ortberg has expressed optimism about the collaboration with Musk to accelerate progress. The delays, however, have raised concerns about the aging fleet of presidential aircraft and the need for modernization to ensure safety and efficiency.

Trump’s Vision for a New Air Force One

President Trump has not only been focused on the cost and delivery of the new Air Force One planes but also on their aesthetic appeal. He has expressed a desire to change the iconic light blue color scheme of the aircraft to a darker shade of blue. However, an earlier attempt to make this change during his presidency was scrapped by President Joe Biden after a study concluded that it would require additional testing, cause further delays, and increase costs. Trump’s interest in the color scheme reflects his broader vision for a modern and visually striking Air Force One, though the practicality of such changes remains a subject of debate.

In summary, President Trump’s tour of the Boeing aircraft at Palm Beach International Airport served as a platform to highlight the ongoing delays in the Air Force One upgrade project. While Trump has taken credit for reducing the project’s costs, the challenges faced by Boeing and the involvement of Elon Musk have added layers of complexity to the initiative. As the project continues to move forward, questions about its timeline, budget, and design remain unresolved, underscoring the difficulties of modernizing such an iconic and critical piece of presidential infrastructure.