Qatar‑Donated 747 Touted After Air Force One Electrical Glitch as Pentagon Targets Summer 2026 Entry
A minor electrical issue about 45 minutes after takeoff for Davos — during which cabin lights went out and the plane returned to Joint Base Andrews — prompted White House spokespeople to say the incident underscored the need for a newer aircraft and even quip that a Qatar‑donated 747 "sounds much better." The Air Force says it remains committed to expediting delivery of the Qatar gift no later than summer 2026 amid bipartisan criticism of the May 2025 acceptance on espionage and constitutional grounds, while President Trump and Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg have publicly pressed for faster replacement of the roughly 40‑year‑old jet.
📌 Key Facts
- On Jan. 23, 2026, Air Force One suffered a "minor electrical issue" about 45 minutes after takeoff for Davos, forcing the plane to return to Joint Base Andrews; reporters said cabin lights went out.
- White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly and press secretary Karoline Leavitt publicly used the incident to argue it "proves President Trump was right again" about needing a newer aircraft, and joked on board that a Qatari jet "sounds much better."
- The Pentagon's May 2025 decision to accept a Qatar‑donated 747 drew criticism from both Democrats and Republicans over espionage and constitutional concerns.
- An Air Force spokesperson said the service remains "committed to expediting" delivery of the Qatar‑donated 747 "no later than summer 2026."
- In May 2025, Trump complained the current Air Force One is roughly 40 years old and that Boeing was too slow building new 747‑8 replacements; Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg acknowledged Trump's dissatisfaction and pledged to speed production.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
January 23, 2026
7:35 PM
Air Force One glitch revives replacement push as White House says it 'proves Trump was right again'
New information:
- Air Force One experienced a 'minor electrical issue' about 45 minutes after takeoff for Davos, forcing the plane to return to Joint Base Andrews; reporters said the cabin lights went out.
- White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly and press secretary Karoline Leavitt are now publicly using the incident to argue it 'proves President Trump was right again' about needing a newer aircraft, joking on board that a Qatari jet 'sounds much better.'
- The article reiterates that Democrats and Republicans previously criticized the May 2025 Pentagon decision to accept the Qatar‑donated 747 over espionage and constitutional concerns, but an Air Force spokesperson now says it remains 'committed to expediting' delivery 'no later than summer 2026.'
- Trump is quoted from May 2025 complaining that the current Air Force One is roughly 40 years old and that Boeing has been too slow building new 747‑8 replacements, while Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has publicly acknowledged Trump’s dissatisfaction and pledged to speed production.
January 22, 2026