[[[[[ “We cannot accept a $400 million ‘gift’ from jihadists in suits,” she wrote in a post on X. In another: “It will be a stain.” ]]]]]
Yes, the image of that Jumbo was a pimped up, trumped up (pun intended) meme to make a point … like cutting cartoons do daily in our newspapers … a picture tells a 1000 words they say.
The only problem with current Airforce 1 is that it does not suit Trump’s outsized ego … he craves opulence and regality. Boeing has a new one under construction but delays won’t see it delivered until near the end of his term.
Laura is right, accepting that Jumbo will be a stain on Trump, and on America. It’s arrival in foreign countries during his term will no doubt lead to critical press and sneers.
Is America ready for their President to travel the world in a Jumbo gifted by “Jihadists in Suits”? The President’s safety in that plane is a complete unknown compared to the current Airforce 1
That Jumbo simply cannot be put into service as gifted. It would basically need to be stripped bare to check all parts, systems, electrics, surveillance, hydraulics, bolts, welds … the motors stripped and rebuilt or replaced. When that was done it would need to be retrofitted with the electronics and safety systems commensurate with current Airforce 1.
There’s unaccounted costs and delays before the Jumbo could be used to transport a US President. Compared to ongoing use of the Current Airforce 1, putting the gifted Jumbo into service will cost the US tax payers and not save a cent.
There is no art to this deal … it’s a very grubby hustle targeting Trump’s weakness for pomp and opulence for ongoing favours … as seen outside a small circle of ardent republicans, imo the world sneers and views it as a stain on Trump and a stain on America.
Whatever Trump achieves during his presidency, accepting Qatari 1 as the new presidential transport will be a regrettable negative imo.
