Trump Abandons Qatari-Gifted Air Force One for Older Jet

US President Donald Trump unexpectedly switched back to an older Air Force One aircraft for his flight from Turkey to Britain, sidelining a retrofitted Boeing 747 donated by Qatar that he had unveiled weeks earlier. The new plane, a gift from Qatar last year and refitted by L3Harris Technologies, had made its first international trip to Turkey. Trump announced on social media that he would use the older plane "for old time's sake" to fly to RAF Mildenhall in Britain, while the new jet visits the same base for US service members to tour. The switch follows months of scrutiny over the luxury gift, intended as a temporary replacement while Boeing struggles to deliver next-generation Air Force One planes. Critics questioned the cost, security, and pace of the retrofit. The new aircraft features a red, white, dark blue, and gold livery chosen by Trump, departing from the long-standing Air Force One design.