local
Retrofitted Qatari jet takes flight as Air Force One for Trump's trip to North Dakota
By Julia Demaree Nikhinson And Josh Boak, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 1, 2026
· 2 min read
President Donald Trump on Wednesday is taking his maiden voyage on a new Air Force One — a retrofitted Boeing 747 worth $400 million gifted by Qatar that embeds his personality more deeply into the institution of the American presidency.Gone is the trademark light blue hull that helped Air Force ...
Key takeaway The jet is carrying Trump to North Dakota to see the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, its first official visitor ahead of its opening on the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
As San Antonio residents watch the new Air Force One take flight, they may wonder about the local implications of such a high-profile gift from Qatar. While the city's own international relationships and diplomatic efforts may not be directly affected, the presence of a foreign-donated plane in the US presidential fleet raises questions about the role of foreign investment in local communities. San Antonio's own economic development efforts often involve courting international investment, and the city's business leaders may be keenly interested in how this gift from Qatar is received by the public. Additionally, with the new plane's temporary status and eventual planned retirement to a presidential library, it's possible that San Antonio's own rich cultural and historical institutions could one day play host to such a unique piece of American history.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? President Donald Trump on Wednesday is taking his maiden voyage on a new Air Force One — a retrofitted Boeing 747 worth $400 million gifted by Qatar that embeds his personality more deeply into the institution of the American presidency.Gone is the trademark light blue hull that helped Air Force ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Julia Demaree Nikhinson And Josh Boak, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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