Trump Debuts Qatari-Gifted Air Force One at Roosevelt Library Dedication

President Donald Trump conducted the maiden flight of a new Air Force One on July 1, 2026, traveling from Washington to North Dakota for the dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora. The aircraft, a Boeing 747-8 valued at $400 million, was gifted by the government of Qatar to serve as an interim bridge until Boeing delivers replacement jets in 2028. The jet features a custom navy-blue, red, and gold paint scheme selected by Trump, though it has sparked ethical and constitutional controversy over the Emoluments Clause and concerns regarding missing missile countermeasures.

Upon arriving in Bismarck and traveling to Medora via helicopter and a ceremonial train, Trump cut the ribbon for the $450 million, 96,000-square-foot facility. During the event, he presented the library with Theodore Roosevelt's Congressional Medal of Honor and announced a $750,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for inaugural exhibits. Trump also interacted with an AI-powered hologram of Roosevelt developed by Microsoft. In a speech at the Burning Hills Amphitheatre, Trump praised Roosevelt's legacy while criticizing Democratic lawmakers and a Supreme Court decision on birthright citizenship.

The visit drew criticism from conservation groups, including the ND Public Lands Coalition, who accused the administration of undermining Roosevelt's conservation legacy through budget cuts and promoting energy development on public lands. Trump responded by claiming he helped transfer 90 acres of protected land to enable the library's construction. The official grand opening of the library is scheduled for July 4, coinciding with the United States' 250th anniversary celebrations.