President Donald Trump is reportedly considering taking the inaugural journey aboard the new Air Force One, a Boeing 747-8 luxury jet valued at approximately $400 million and gifted by the State of Qatar, during his planned July 3 visit to Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, as part of celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary.
The aircraft has spent months undergoing extensive retrofitting to transform it into a secure presidential transport. The upgrades include highly classified communications, defense, and security systems required for a flying White House. Aviation experts have estimated that the total cost of converting the aircraft could exceed $1 billion due to the complex installation of these top-secret capabilities.
The jet is currently completing final flight inspections and testing to ensure it is ready to safely carry the president. It has also received a dramatic new red, white, and blue paint scheme, replacing the iconic light blue and white “Jackie Kennedy” design that has represented Air Force One for decades.
The Pentagon accepted the Qatari donation last year, a move that triggered fierce bipartisan criticism and raised questions over security concerns, ethics, and the use of a foreign-gifted aircraft for official U.S. government missions.
According to White House plans, the aircraft would later be transferred to Trump’s presidential library foundation after his term ends in January 2029. Before any such transfer, all classified government systems and sensitive equipment installed during its service would need to be removed.
Trump’s appearance at Mount Rushmore is expected to be one of several high-profile events leading up to Independence Day celebrations commemorating 250 years since America’s founding. If the plan proceeds, the flight could become one of the most watched and symbolic moments in modern presidential aviation history.
