Wait . . . what? Qatar’s 747 “gift” to Trump will cost $2 billion if we convert it to Air Force One?

Photo above – His Highness, Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar, preparing to take a few hot laps in his F1 racecar. Not shown - The Shiekh's 3 wives and13 princelings and princesses. Eat your heart out, Elon!

Today I learned that the world’s most expensive plane is NOT the latest US B21 supersonic bomber. Those cost almost $2 billion each. The B21 has been eclipsed by (ka-ching!) the free 747 given to Trump by the Emir of Qatar. That sucker will cost OVER $2 billion to rehab to USAF presidential standards. Trump is currently slumming around in a last-gen, 30 year old 747. This DOES seem unreasonably risky, when you stop to think about it. It could have engine failure at any moment. A passenger jets this ancient would probably be retired for cargo use if they were owned by United Airlines.

In 2015 (10 years ago) the Pentagon and Boeing announced their plan to put a new Air Force One jet into service by 2022. This was during the Obama administration, and I’m sure some white house official thought it would be delivered in time for Hillary Clinton’s second term in the oval office.

But Boeing just announced the new plane won’t actually be ready until 2027 at the earliest, and the project is either $500 million or $2 billion over budget, depending on which accounting method you want to use.

At this time, let me point out the obvious:

- 12 years late and $500 million+ over budget is certifiably insane. Hegseth – heads must roll!

- It would probably take 12 years and cost WAY more than $2 billion to rehab the Emir's "Midnight at the Oasis" harem plane, given our recent experience.

- The first commercial 747 entered service in 1969 – a half century ago. No foreign potentates are going to be intimidated if the American president arrives in the something invented 50 years ago. And which immediately disgorges a 10-year-old, 10-ton Cadillac limo.

If America really wanted to generate shock and awe during presidential visits, we should simply designate an existing B21 stealth bomber as Air Force one. And DO NOT install 150 La-Z-Boy “pinnacle” recliners trimmed in red, white and blue kidskin. The B21 has all the stealth and speed, and defensive countermeasures needed to deliver our president safely anywhere on earth. And possibly deliver a payload of smart bombs if America gets yanked around by some mincing Emir or Premier or Generalissimo in cahoots with cartel bosses.

“The Beast” – America’s 10 ton presidential limo - can follow in a civilian 747. I’m pretty sure Jeff Bezos has at least one spare Amazon Prime cargo 747 which he’d gift to the president. Save a bundle and don’t let the pentagon get their hands on this jet for any upgrades. In fact, retire that allegedly bulletproof Cadillac, and call up for duty a 6 wheeled, all terrain troop carrier. That can be the new presidential limo. Those things will deflect a volley of RPGs without blinking an eye.

Your Highness Emir Al Thani: America thanks you for your generous gift, even if it is just a prank. You have allowed us to revisit why our government – especially the Pentagon – is a bloated bunch of paper pushing clerks who’ve lost touch with reality.

I’m just sayin’ . . .

Emirates airline president reveals staggering cost to transform Qatari ‘sky Palace’ into Trump’s new Air Force One jet | The Sun

Boeing now plans to deliver new Air Force One jets in 2027, before Trump leaves office | CNN Business