US President Donald Trump has completed his first flight aboard the new Air Force One, a Boeing 747 jet gifted to the United States by Qatar. The aircraft, valued at approximately $400 million (AUD $580 million), was accepted by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth following Trump's visit to Qatar in May 2025.

The maiden voyage took Trump and his entourage to remote western North Dakota, where he dedicated a museum honoring former US president Theodore Roosevelt. Onboard were Trump's two sons, Eric and Donald Junior, along with their wives, Bettina and Lara.

Assistant to the president and White House director of communications Steven Cheung shared photos of the trip on social media platform X, including images featuring members of the Trump family and press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

The Defense Department stated it would ensure "proper security measures and functional-mission requirements are considered" for the aircraft. Despite ethical and taxpayer concerns raised about the gifted jet, Trump dismissed them, calling it "stupid" not to accept the plane.

The Boeing 747 is described as so luxurious it is known as the "flying palace." Trump also referenced the older Air Force One in his remarks about the new aircraft.

Sources