Trump Plans to Fly Qatar-Donated Jet Again Despite Questions Over Its Defenses

Donald Trump plans to use Qatar’s donated aircraft during a visit to Ireland next week, despite continuing questions about whether its defenses are adequate.

It would be Trump’s first overseas trip on the plane since he abandoned it during a July NATO summit visit to Turkey. After receiving intelligence about a possible Iranian attack, Trump secretly left Turkey on a U.S. Air Force transport aircraft instead.

Trump had said several weeks ago that he would stop using the Qatar-donated plane for about a month while its defensive systems were strengthened. He began using the aircraft after delivery delays affected two new presidential planes ordered from Boeing. Those aircraft are designed as flying presidential command centers with extensive protection against missile attacks, but they may take a long time to complete.

“

Maximum strengthening means you can go into any area, and that takes about 60 days.

Asked on Sept. 4 whether the Qatar aircraft’s defenses had been strengthened to the maximum, Trump said it contained a great deal of equipment. “Maximum strengthening means you can go into any area, and that takes about 60 days,” he said, adding that the aircraft was expected to undergo that work in October.

Trump previously said the plane would go to his planned presidential museum in Miami. Other officials later said it might not be displayed there. “I haven’t made a decision yet, but it will probably go to the museum,” Trump said. “It is scheduled to go to the museum.”

“

I haven’t made a decision yet, but it will probably go to the museum. It is scheduled to go to the museum.