Key points
- President Donald Trump said the Qatari-donated Air Force One will undergo further upgrades within about a month.
- Trump made the remarks after being asked about the aircraft’s missile-defence capabilities.
- The president said the plane would be “maxed out” but did not specify the nature of the planned work.
- Media reports noted concerns that the aircraft lacks some capabilities of the older presidential jet.
Main story
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the Qatari-donated aircraft serving as Air Force One will be sent for further upgrades within about a month, after being asked about its missile-defence capabilities.
Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews after returning from the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey, Trump said the aircraft would undergo additional work to be “maxed out.”
“It has a lot of capability but, as I understand it, in about a month or so they’re going to send it to have it be maxed out,” Trump said.
He repeated the comment later, saying: “They’re going to be sending it, and they’ll have it be maxed out. It’ll take about a month.”
Trump did not specify the nature of the planned upgrades.
His remarks came amid reports questioning whether the refurbished Boeing aircraft, donated by Qatar, possesses the same capabilities as the older Air Force One aircraft built specifically for presidential use.
CNN reported that the president had privately expressed frustration over reports highlighting deficiencies in the aircraft and that his administration had sought to identify officials who spoke to reporters about the matter.
According to the report, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and FBI Director Kash Patel were involved in efforts to investigate the leaks. The New York Times also reported that four of its journalists had been subpoenaed after publishing stories on the aircraft.
Concerns over the jet resurfaced earlier this month after Trump switched to the older presidential aircraft during his return from a NATO summit in Turkey, while the Qatari-donated plane flew separately to RAF Mildenhall in England.
At the time, Trump said the decision was intended to allow U.S. military personnel stationed at the base to tour the aircraft, dismissing suggestions that security concerns influenced the move.
However,media reports cited two sources familiar with the matter as saying the newer aircraft did not have the same capabilities to ensure the president’s safety in international settings as the older Air Force One, although a third source said it was equipped with many similar features.
The report added that security personnel were more comfortable with the president travelling on the older aircraft, which was purpose-built for presidential operations, than on the retrofitted jet donated by Qatar.
The issues
Trump’s remarks are likely to renew scrutiny of the Qatari-donated aircraft, which has faced legal, ethical and security questions since it entered presidential service.
What’s being said
“It has a lot of capability but, as I understand it, in about a month or so they’re going to send it to have it be maxed out.” — President Donald Trump
What’s next
The aircraft is expected to be sent for additional work within about a month, although the White House has not disclosed what the planned upgrades will involve.
Bottom line
Trump has confirmed that the Qatari-donated Air Force One will undergo further work, but he stopped short of specifying what modifications will be made, leaving questions about the aircraft’s capabilities unanswered.
