Trump Unveils New Air Force One on Visit to North Dakota
President Donald Trump traveled to North Dakota on Wednesday to dedicate a museum honoring Theodore Roosevelt, using the occasion to debut a refurbished Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar that will serve as the new Air Force One. The plane features a red, white, dark blue, and gold paint scheme selected by Trump.
The trip to Medora in western North Dakota marks the first flight of the aircraft, which has drawn scrutiny over the cost and rapid pace of renovations, as well as the unusual acceptance of a luxury jumbo jet from a foreign country. Trump dismissed the criticism, telling reporters before boarding that Qatar “treated us very well” and that the Qatari leader’s contribution was “very nice.” He said the gifted plane cost “very little relative to what it would cost if we did it a different way.”
Trump Praises Roosevelt’s Legacy Amid Patriotic Celebrations
The visit comes as Trump has embraced celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, using them to highlight his leadership ahead of November’s midterm elections. “We’re very proud of this, the country is very proud of it,” Trump said, adding that the older Air Force One “didn’t look appropriate for our country.” He noted that the new plane includes enhanced security and “all of the different bells and whistles.”
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, a 96,000-square-foot facility carved out of local soil, overlooks a national park named for Roosevelt because of the formative years he spent in the nearby Badlands. Roosevelt, a rugged conservationist who served as president from 1901 to 1909, expanded the nation’s reach and helped push Spain out of the Americas.
Interior Secretary Burgum Highlights Shared Conviction
“Theodore Roosevelt believed America’s greatest work was always still ahead,” said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in a press release. “President Trump shares that conviction in American greatness, and in the belief that this nation’s finest age is yet to come.”
As part of his week of events, Trump plans on Friday to visit Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, which features sculptures of Roosevelt and former Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln. He is also expected to deliver a campaign-style speech on Saturday as part of a July 4 celebration in Washington that will include a 35-minute fireworks display over the Potomac River.
Political Context and Public Division
Trump’s emphasis on patriotic events comes as Americans remain sharply divided over the Republican president, the country’s dominant political figure for a decade. The celebrations have been central to his messaging in an election year dominated by voter concern over the cost of living and the Iran war.
The Air Force has said the plane is up to presidential standards. Asked about the cost to taxpayers, Trump said the arrangement saved money compared to a traditional procurement. The library opens to the public on Saturday.
