Donald Trump unexpectedly left Turkey on Wednesday aboard an older Air Force One rather than ‌the newly renovated Qatari-donated jet that brought him there, but later boarded the new plane in Britain for the flight to Washington.

The trip to Turkey for the NATO summit, the first international travel for the new plane, took place as hostilities escalated with Iran, a country that borders Turkey.

The unexpected plane switch followed months of scrutiny over the luxury gift intended to serve as a temporary replacement while Boeing struggled to deliver long-delayed next-generation Air Force One planes.

    • Etnaphele
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      21 days ago

      For the plane, it had to evacuate the stinker it had in its belly.

    • GuyFawkesV
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      21 days ago

      No, about 24 hours ago would’ve been an awesome time. Now it’s just folks following (legal) orders to move a plane who don’t deserve it.

    • phutatorius@lemmy.zip
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      19 days ago

      Along with the Omanis, they’re some of the less odious of the Gulfies. Do Abu Dhabi or Dubai first. And Sharjah is just hoping nobody notices they’re there.

    • qantravon
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      21 days ago

      That’s already a known part of the deal. After his term, it goes to his “presidential library”, which is pretty much wholly controlled by him.

  • AreaKode@riskeratspizza.com
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    21 days ago

    lol. Qatar sent him an incriminating photo from one of their spy cameras on the flight over. “Just a reminder who your daddy is…”

  • Sludgehammer
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    21 days ago

    It’s well known that the Qatar jet was a lemon that they gave to Trump as a white elephant gift. It probably developed some mechanical problem(s) and they had to ground it for repairs.

    • apfelwoiSchoppen
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      21 days ago

      No disbelief here but that thing is probably a ship of Theseus situation. It will probably be years perhaps decades before we know how much money went into that thing before it took over as Air Force One.

  • Cocodapuf
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    20 days ago

    I bet there’s better missile countermeasures in the “old” jet.

    It’s probably a concern being so close to various conflict hotspots.

  • anon_8675309
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    19 days ago

    “Old one”.

    The Air Force wouldn’t let him in it if it wasn’t in perfect shape.