President says new presidential plane was provided by Qatar and praises upgrades

The President said the aircraft on which he was speaking was on its first flight and described travel to the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library, calling the jet "the greatest commercial plane ever built." He said the plane was completed and "made ... appropriate for a president," citing security modifications and other "bells and whistles."

A reporter asked about the President's favorite upgrade and the cost to American taxpayers. The President replied that "it cost very little relative to what it would cost if we did it a different way" and said the plane had been "a gift from a country that's treated us very well," naming Qatar. He said Boeing characterized the jet as "the best 747 they've ever built" and credited the Amir (referred to in the remarks as Amir Tamim) with offering the aircraft to the United States.

The President said the jet was brought up to presidential standards in about five months, including security work. He framed the arrangement as temporary while newly built Air Force One aircraft remain under construction. The remarks presented the gift and refurbishment as the basis for avoiding larger taxpayer spending on a newly built presidential aircraft.

The President did not provide documentation of the transfer terms or an itemized cost breakdown in the remarks. A reporter posed the cost question during the exchange; no formal accounting or written disclosure was produced in the session.

The exchange concluded with the President urging pride in the jet's appearance and telling attendees they would see the completed interior when boarding.