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A recent financial maneuver by the Defense Department has ignited significant controversy, as it has reportedly reallocated substantial funds from a critical nuclear modernization program to finance the refurbishment of a Boeing 747-8 intended for presidential use. This Qatari-donated aircraft is slated to become a future Air Force One for President Trump.
Under the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon transferred an estimated $934 million. These funds were controversially diverted from the “Sentinel” project, a massive undertaking originally valued at $77.7 billion aimed at modernizing the United States’ ground-based nuclear missile infrastructure. The Sentinel program itself has faced considerable challenges, experiencing delays that have escalated its projected cost to over $125 billion, with some Pentagon estimates last year indicating a potential rise to $160 billion.
Initially, the Defense Department only disclosed that the funds from the over-budget and behind-schedule nuclear project would be used for a “classified” initiative. However, Air Force officials have since indicated that at least a portion of this considerable sum will be dedicated to customizing the Qatari-funded Boeing 747-8 to meet President Trump’s specifications, effectively turning what was touted as a “free” gift into a costly public expenditure.
The acquisition of the $400 million jet itself has been a point of contention. Qatar delivered the aircraft to the U.S. in May, following weeks of controversy regarding potential conflicts of interest surrounding President Trump’s decision to accept the luxury vessel. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink stated in June that the renovation cost for the new plane would be “less than $400 million.”
Despite widespread public and bipartisan scrutiny, the administration has largely refused to provide detailed information about the jet’s renovation, consistently citing the classified nature of the project. This secrecy has fueled skepticism, particularly given that aviation experts consulted by NBC News in May suggested the true cost could exceed $1 billion and require several years to complete, separate from the $4 billion the U.S. is already committing to Boeing for new, purpose-built presidential jets.
President Trump has publicly defended his decision to accept the Qatari gift, dismissing bipartisan criticism. He famously remarked in May, “I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer. I mean, I could be a stupid person and say, ‘No, we don’t want a free, very expensive airplane.’”
The repurposed aircraft is intended to serve as Trump’s Air Force One during his presidency and is then planned for transfer to his presidential library upon leaving office. This arrangement aligns with other significant contributions earmarked for his library, including $16 million payments from Disney and Paramount to settle separate defamation lawsuits brought by Trump.