NYT: Funds for Trump jet conversion may have come from US nuclear modernization program
28 July 20:49
The New York Times reports that almost a billion dollars from the US nuclear modernization program may have been used to refurbish a Boeing 747-8 aircraft donated to President Donald Trump by the Qatari royal family, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
The money in question is $934 million, which was identified in a “little-noticed Pentagon document” as funding for a project under the Sentinel program, a large-scale initiative to replace the outdated Minuteman III intercontinental missiles. However, congressmen who follow the budget suggest that some of these funds could have been used to reconstruct the plane presented to Trump, which is to become a temporary Air Force One.
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Manke has previously stated that the rebuilding of the jet would cost “less than $400 million,” and most of the costs would have to be incurred regardless of which aircraft is used. At the same time, sources in the Air Force admit that the project did indeed involve funds from the nuclear program.
Critics of the decision see the situation as a threat to national security and an attempt to circumvent budgetary constraints. Senator Jeanne Shaheen said that it was about “undermining the reputation of the United States for Trump’s vanity project.” In addition, U.S. intelligence agencies are concerned about the possibility of surveillance devices on the plane, which may have to be dismantled.
The re-equipment is expected to take one to two years. After the end of Trump’s presidency in 2029, the jet is to be transferred to his future presidential library.
