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Trump Grounds Qatar-Gifted Air Force One, DOJ Subpoenas NYT

7/22/2026

Center

Trump Upgrades Jet

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on July 20 that Qatar-gifted Air Force One jet will be taken out of service for upgrades.
White House officials said the month-long work will likely add non-kinetic defenses such as electronic jammers, infrared dazzlers and chaff.
Secret Service urged Trump to use older Air Force One for July 8 Turkey flight because missile defenses were missing.
Justice Department subpoenaed four New York Times reporters to testify before a jury on jet’s defenses.

Left

Trump Jet Upgrade

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on July 20 that the Qatar-gifted Air Force One will be removed from service for upgrades.
Lawmakers and watchdogs argue the jet’s missing defenses and foreign-gift status create security risks and may breach the Constitution’s emoluments clause.
The Secret Service warned Trump against flying the jet to high-risk areas.
The White House subpoenaed New York Times reporters after the security story broke.

History

Historical Context

The Obama administration’s 2009 $300 million upgrade of the VC-25A added infrared dazzlers and chaff, cutting missile vulnerability by about 40 %. That precedent resurfaces as the 2025 Qatar-gifted Boeing 747-8, modified by L3Harris, becomes the interim VC-25B Bridge, prompting congressional scrutiny over security gaps and the emoluments clause, echoing a half-century pattern of presidential aircraft modernization.

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Trump Upgrades Jet

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on July 20 that Qatar-gifted Air Force One jet will be taken out of service for upgrades.
White House officials said the month-long work will likely add non-kinetic defenses such as electronic jammers, infrared dazzlers and chaff.
Secret Service urged Trump to use older Air Force One for July 8 Turkey flight because missile defenses were missing.
Justice Department subpoenaed four New York Times reporters to testify before a jury on jet’s defenses.

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