Let's talk about the plane. You know which one.

[UnseenParticipant]

The Royal Family of Qatar has offered Donald Trump a $400,000,000 Boeing 747 for (according to a day-old Trump quote) “doing a good job.” Doing a good job for whom? he did not get specific.

Reminded of the Emoluments Clause, which he ignored or skirted regularly in his first term, he argues that he’s accepting it on the behalf of the country and that it will belong to his library, so it’s not a gift to him but to the government. You know, like when France gave us The Statue Of Liberty, only with solid gold toilet seats. Furthermore, it’s really a gift given to the Department of Defense until he leaves office (assuming he does) when it will go to become part of his presidential library, along with his collection of declassificed classified documents and dogeared copies of Barely Legal and Hustler magazines, one imagines.

It’s not a gift to him, he argues, because he won’t own the title. That’s sort of like arguing that when your daddy gives you a Shelby Mustang to do whatever you like with but that the title is being held by a trust under his control, that it’s not really a gift with a value. Nonsense.

He will, he seems to imagine, be using it as a replacement to Air Force One.

There’s a big problem with that. Air Force One is no ordinary 747. How is it different? Here’s what I found out:

Converting a stock Boeing 747 into the new Air Force One is a complex undertaking that involves extensive modifications across several key areas. Here’s a breakdown of the general categories of work involved:

1. Enhanced Security Systems: This is a paramount aspect of the conversion. It includes:

Anti-missile systems: Installation of countermeasures to detect and deflect potential missile threats. This includes infrared countermeasures and chaff and flares.
Electronic warfare capabilities: Systems to jam enemy radar and disrupt electronic attacks.  
Nuclear hardening: Reinforcing the aircraft’s structure and shielding electronics to withstand the effects of an electromagnetic pulse from a nuclear blast.
Secure communication systems: Installation of highly advanced and encrypted communication systems, including satellite links, secure phone lines, and video conferencing, to ensure the President can maintain contact with government officials and military leaders at all times, even in the event of an attack.  
Advanced radar: Systems for threat detection and avoidance.

2. State-of-the-Art Communication and Technology: Transforming the aircraft into a mobile command center necessitates:

Comprehensive communication suite: Multi-frequency radios for air-to-air, air-to-ground, and satellite communications.
Secure networks: Encrypted phone lines (potentially around 87 phones with varying security levels) and data links to ensure the confidentiality of communications.  
“Flying Situation Room” capabilities: Integration of technology that allows the President to monitor events globally and direct responses to crises while airborne.  
Upgraded avionics: Installation of military-grade avionics systems for navigation and flight control.  

3. Interior Modifications for Presidential Operations: The interior needs to be reconfigured to support the President and their staff:

Executive quarters: A private suite for the President, including an office, sleeping area, and bathroom.  
Staff offices and work areas: Dedicated spaces for senior advisors and staff to work during flights.
Conference/dining room: A large area for meetings and meals.  
Medical suite: A dedicated area equipped as an operating room, with a doctor permanently on board.  
Galleys: Two galleys capable of preparing a large number of meals simultaneously (around 100).  
Press area: Designated space for the traveling press corps.
Self-contained baggage loader: An integrated system for handling luggage.  
Front and aft air-stairs: For independent boarding and deplaning.  

4. Enhanced Operational Capabilities: To ensure the aircraft can fulfill its mission:

Aerial refueling: The capability to refuel in flight, providing unlimited range.  
Self-sufficiency: Systems that allow the aircraft to operate independently at airports worldwide.
Electrical power upgrades: To support the extensive new systems.  
Dual in-flight auxiliary power units: Ensuring redundancy for power supply.  

5. Structural Modifications: These may be required to accommodate the new systems and ensure the aircraft’s long-term durability. This can involve:

Cutting and replacing sections of the fuselage: To install new doors, airstairs, and structural enhancements.
Shielded cabling: Replacing standard wiring with shielded cabling for security.  
Reinforcement of the airframe: To handle the additional weight and stress of the new systems.

6. Testing and Certification: After the extensive modifications, rigorous testing and certification are required to ensure the aircraft meets the stringent safety and operational requirements for Air Force One.

It’s important to note that the specific details of these conversions are highly classified for security reasons. However, these general categories outline the significant work involved in transforming a commercial airliner into the President’s airborne command center. The process is complex, time-consuming, and expensive, often encountering delays due to the intricate nature of the modifications and the high standards required.

As you can see, a) it would not be completed within his term and b) might cost triple the value of the gift to make it useable, and then it would become part of his presidential library.

[Author]

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