Trump Tours Boeing Plane, Slams Air Force One Delays \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Donald Trump toured a Boeing aircraft to inspect new technology and criticize delays in delivering the updated Air Force One fleet. Originally scheduled for 2024, the planes are now expected in 2027 and 2028. Trump, who previously negotiated a $1.6 billion price cut, remains frustrated with Boeing’s setbacks. Meanwhile, Elon Musk is assisting Boeing in expediting production.
Quick Looks
- Boeing Delays Air Force One: The new aircraft, initially set for 2024, won’t be ready until 2027 and 2028.
- Trump’s Boeing Tour: The president visited a Boeing aircraft to inspect new technology and criticize delays.
- Cost Concerns: Trump claims he previously negotiated a $1.6 billion price cut for the same plane.
- Elon Musk’s Involvement: The billionaire is working with Boeing to speed up delivery.
- Color Scheme Debate: Trump still wants a darker blue Air Force One, a plan scrapped by Biden.
- Boeing’s Financial Struggles: The company has lost billions on the project, adding to its ongoing challenges.
Deep Look
President Donald Trump toured a Boeing aircraft at Palm Beach International Airport on Saturday, using the visit to highlight the aerospace giant’s failure to deliver new Air Force One planes on schedule. Originally expected in 2024, the aircraft have faced repeated delays, now pushing delivery to 2027 and 2028—beyond Trump’s current term.
Boeing’s Air Force One Contract: A Troubled Timeline
The U.S. government contracted Boeing to produce two updated Air Force One aircraft, replacing the aging fleet of modified Boeing 747s that have served U.S. presidents for over 30 years. The project, initially expected to be completed in 2024, has since been plagued by production issues, financial losses, and bureaucratic setbacks.
Under the revised timeline, the first new aircraft is expected in 2027, with the second arriving in 2028, the final year of Trump’s second term.
Trump’s Visit: Inspecting Boeing’s Latest Technology
During his visit, Trump inspected a 13-year-old private Boeing aircraft parked at Palm Beach International Airport. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung described the tour as an opportunity to “check out the new hardware and technology” while drawing attention to Boeing’s failure to meet its contractual deadlines.
Trump has long expressed frustration over the project’s rising costs and extended timelines.
“This highlights the project’s failure to deliver a new Air Force One on time as promised,” Cheung said.
Trump’s History of Cost Negotiations with Boeing
During his first term, Trump aggressively negotiated with Boeing to reduce the price of the Air Force One replacement project. In a 2024 conversation on Elon Musk’s social media platform X, Trump boasted about securing a significant price cut.
“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,” Trump said.
He added that the only change made to the aircraft after his negotiations was a “nicer paint job.”
Elon Musk’s Role in Air Force One Production
Billionaire Elon Musk, who heavily funded Trump’s 2024 campaign, is now playing a key role in government efficiency reforms, including expediting the Air Force One project.
As head of the Department of Government Efficiency, Musk is focused on cutting government spending, eliminating agencies, and reducing the federal workforce. His involvement with Boeing has drawn both praise and criticism, with some questioning his unconventional methods.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg confirmed last month that Musk is actively working with the company to help accelerate the Air Force One delivery process. However, it remains unclear how much of an impact Musk’s involvement will have on the timeline.
Trump’s Air Force One Color Scheme Controversy
Beyond cost concerns, Trump remains interested in changing the iconic light blue and white color scheme of Air Force One to a darker blue.
During his first term, Trump pushed for the redesign, but President Joe Biden later scrapped the idea after an internal study found that the new color scheme would require additional testing, further delaying the project and increasing costs.
Despite this, Trump has continued to advocate for the change, suggesting that a redesign could still happen under his administration.
Boeing’s Financial Struggles Add to Delays
The Air Force One contract has not been profitable for Boeing, with the company reporting billions in losses on the project. This financial strain, combined with supply chain disruptions and increased scrutiny over production delays, has placed the aerospace giant under significant pressure.
Boeing has also faced broader challenges, including safety concerns with its commercial aircraft and intensified competition from international rivals. The delays in delivering Air Force One only add to the company’s growing list of setbacks.
What’s Next?
With Air Force One deliveries now expected in 2027 and 2028, Trump will likely continue pushing for faster progress. Whether Musk’s involvement will significantly accelerate production remains uncertain, but the administration’s focus on efficiency and cost-cutting suggests further scrutiny of Boeing’s contract.
As the debate over government spending and project delays continues, one thing is clear: Trump is determined to hold Boeing accountable for what he views as a failure to deliver on time and within budget.
Trump Tours Boeing
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