President Donald Trump hopes to put the newly outfitted Air Force One, a gift from the Qatari government worth $400 million, into his presidential library after leaving office – but he could run into obstacles doing so, from Democrats in Congress to the physical complexities of getting the plane in a building.
In March, Trump showed off digital renderings of his future presidential library and potential hotel, which showed the luxury Boeing 747-8 parked in the lobby next to a golden escalator. The plane, which Trump controversially accepted as a gift, is expected to be transferred to his presidential library after his term ends.
He boasted about it to reporters in the Oval Office, acknowledging that putting Air Force One in the lobby of a skyscraper in the middle of Miami was likely going to be “a trick.”
While the physical barriers may require some creative thinking, the president must first ensure he can physically keep the plane – something Democratic members of Congress may try to block, should they win back the House in the midterms, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.
In June, one Democratic representative sought to stop the aircraft from being transferred to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library with an amendment. Last year, Senate Democrats also attempted to prevent any foreign aircraft from serving as Air Force One.
Both measures have failed, thanks to congressional Republicans.
But should Democrats pick up more seats in the upcoming midterms, they may have better luck preventing Trump from taking home his $400 million foreign-gifted plane.
A spokesperson for Rep. Joe Courtney, who introduced the amendment preventing the transfer of the jet to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library, told the Wall Street Journal that Courtney will continue working to ensure the aircraft “remains the property of the U.S. government.”
The president has faced intense ethical scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers and skepticism from some Republicans for accepting the plane gifted by the Qatari government. He’s dismissed criticisms by highlighting the generosity of the donation and insisting it’s for temporary use.
The luxury Boeing 747-8 jet is being used under a temporary “bridge” program until two new Boeings, to be used as Air Force One, are ready. They are expected to be delivered in 2028.
The president took the maiden voyage on Air Force One this past week with a trip to South Dakota to kick off Fourth of July celebration at Mount Rushmore.
Members of the administration showed off the new interior of the plane in photos online. The plane now has large plush beige seats that lie back, wood paneling, carpets, a built-in bookshelf and more.
Traditionally, there is a protocol for retiring military aircraft so they can be used in museums, Doug Birkey, the executive director of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, told the Wall Street Journal.
For example, the Boeing VC-137C jet used as Air Force One between 1972 and 2001 was first retired and then given to the Ronald Reagan Foundation. Eventually, it was put in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, where it is currently on display.
In addition to potential run-ins with congressional Democrats, the president will need to figure out a way to get the physical plane inside the skyscraper.
The Reagan Foundation was forced to disassemble Air Force One and trek it more than 100 miles overland before moving pieces into the pavilion where it now sits and reassembling it.
