Qatar Funds Secret Renovation of Trump's Presidential Plane

USA's president Donald Trump does not hesitate to criticize federal expenditures. But when it comes to the costs of the renovation of the plane that the president received as a gift from Qatar, the lid is on.

» Published: July 28 2025

Qatar Funds Secret Renovation of Trump's Presidential Plane
Photo: Ben Curtis/AP/TT

Share this article

The Trump administration is leading the way in cutting the country's federal expenditures and has, among other things, criticized the renovation of the central bank's headquarters in Washington. But when it comes to the cost of upgrading the Boeing 747-8 that the president received as a gift from the royal family in Qatar, the White House is not as forthcoming, reports The New York Times.

Comprehensive upgrade

In order for the plane to be used as the presidential plane Air Force One, advanced communication systems, anti-robot systems, and afterburners that can quickly get the plane to safety are required.

In addition, there is the removal of any eavesdropping equipment suspected to be in the walls. As the icing on the cake, the "flying palace" that Trump wants will be filled with exclusive gold-edged interior design.

The US Air Force estimates that the renovation will take about a year and cost nearly 400 million dollars, equivalent to around 3.8 billion kronor. But both the timeline and costs are being questioned by Democratic congressional representatives.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has in the Senate not wanted to say how much the renovation of the plane will cost and claims that the information about the financing should "remain classified", reports The Washington Post.

"Secret budget"

But according to information to the two newspapers, the financing will be done with funds from one of the Pentagon's largest projects - the modernization of the US's outdated nuclear weapons system.

It is not unusual for Washington to use budgets within budgets, and according to the New York Times, 934 million dollars have been transferred from the nuclear weapons project - more than double the air force's stated bill for the renovation.

Trump's hope is to be able to use the plane during his term in office. He has also stated that it will then be donated to the foundation for Trump's presidential library, which gives him the opportunity to use the plane even after his time in the White House.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Railway Derailments Disrupt Swedish Industry and Economy
3 MIN READ

Railway Derailments Disrupt Swedish Industry and Economy

Brazil's Lula Criticizes Trump's Tariffs at Brics Meeting
1 MIN READ

Brazil's Lula Criticizes Trump's Tariffs at Brics Meeting

Swedish Pensions Agency Reclaims 48 Million Kronor for Allra Victims
2 MIN READ

Swedish Pensions Agency Reclaims 48 Million Kronor for Allra Victims

Space X Acquires Network Spectrum from Echo Star in $17 Billion Deal
1 MIN READ

Space X Acquires Network Spectrum from Echo Star in $17 Billion Deal

Klarna Valuation Could Reach 150 Billion Kronor in 2023 Analysis
1 MIN READ

Klarna Valuation Could Reach 150 Billion Kronor in 2023 Analysis

Criticism Over No Increase in Sweden's Child Allowance
2 MIN READ

Criticism Over No Increase in Sweden's Child Allowance

Southern Sweden Gains Most from Electricity Price Protection
3 MIN READ

Southern Sweden Gains Most from Electricity Price Protection

Left Party Urges Transparency on Food Prices Ahead of VAT Reduction
1 MIN READ

Left Party Urges Transparency on Food Prices Ahead of VAT Reduction

German Industrial Production Surges Beyond Expectations in July
1 MIN READ

German Industrial Production Surges Beyond Expectations in July

NCC Highlights Sand and Gravel Shortage Threatening Nordic Projects
1 MIN READ

NCC Highlights Sand and Gravel Shortage Threatening Nordic Projects

Dollar and US Interest Rates Under Pressure Amid Fed Rate Cut Speculation
1 MIN READ

Dollar and US Interest Rates Under Pressure Amid Fed Rate Cut Speculation

Stockholm Stock Exchange Opens Week with Gains as OMXS Index Rises
2 MIN READ

Stockholm Stock Exchange Opens Week with Gains as OMXS Index Rises

Lower Taxes and Cheaper Preschool Proposed in Swedish Budget
3 MIN READ

Lower Taxes and Cheaper Preschool Proposed in Swedish Budget

Rising Evictions Impact More Children Amid Economic Struggles
2 MIN READ

Rising Evictions Impact More Children Amid Economic Struggles

Swedish Financial Authority Investigates Stock Fraud Targeting Small Investors
2 MIN READ

Swedish Financial Authority Investigates Stock Fraud Targeting Small Investors

Tokyo Stock Exchange Opens Week with Gains in Nikkei and Topix
1 MIN READ

Tokyo Stock Exchange Opens Week with Gains in Nikkei and Topix

China's Giant Solar Park in Qinghai: A Symbol of Green Transformation
3 MIN READ

China's Giant Solar Park in Qinghai: A Symbol of Green Transformation

South Korean Workers Detained in US Hyundai Raid to Be Flown Home
1 MIN READ

South Korean Workers Detained in US Hyundai Raid to Be Flown Home

Trump's Eight Strategies to Challenge Wind Power Expansion
4 MIN READ

Trump's Eight Strategies to Challenge Wind Power Expansion

Trump's Opposition to Wind Power Threatens US Turbine Industry
3 MIN READ

Trump's Opposition to Wind Power Threatens US Turbine Industry