Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Monday, July 20, 2026
From the Liveblog of
Monday, July 20, 2026
White House insists Qatari-donated Air Force One ‘is perfectly safe’ but will soon get ‘additional upgrades’
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The plane newly designated as 'Air Force One' takes off with US President Donald Trump on board. It is a formerly Qatari-owned jumbo jet that was converted into the official US presidential aircraft, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/ Luis M. Alvarez)
The Qatari-donated jet that serves as an Air Force One plane will receive upgrades and enhancements for about a month in autumn, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says.
“The new Air Force One is perfectly safe for the president’s travels, but will receive additional upgrades and enhancements in the fall which will take approximately one month to complete. During that time, the president will fly on the old Air Force One,” Leavitt says in an emailed statement.
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