Trump vents about Boeing delaying Air Force One delivery, tasks Elon Musk with finding a replacement

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump is unhappy with US aircraft manufacturer Boeing for delaying a contract to build two new Air Force One planes, the BBC reported on Thursday, February 20.

The contract with Boing for two updated models of the presidential plane Air Force One based on the modern Boeing 747-8 was negotiated by Trump during his first term in the Oval Office from 2017 to 2020. While it was set to be delivered in 2024, the date has presently been pushed back to 2027 or 2028.

Donald Trump's issue with Boeing over Air Force One planes

While speaking with reporters on board one of the current 35-year-old Air Force One planes, Trump voiced his dissatisfaction with Boeing and said that he was currently in the market looking for alternatives.

"No, I'm not happy with Boeing. It takes them a long time to do, you know, Air Force One, we gave that contract out a long time ago," he stated. "We may buy a plane or get a plane, or something."

When asked if he would consider purchasing a plane from Boeing's European rival company, Airbus, the commander-in-chief replied, "No, I would not consider Airbus over Boeing, but I could buy one that was used and convert it."

The comments came days after Trump was spotted visiting a 13-year-old Boeing 747-800 while it was parked at Palm Beach International Airport. It was reported to have been by the Qatari royal family.

Donald Trump asks Elon Musk to speed up Air Force One planes delivery

According to the Daily Mail, Trump has tasked tech billionaire and Department of Government Efficiency chair Elon Musk to oversee the prompt delivery of the two Boeing aircraft for Air Force One.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg revealed in January that the company was coordinating with Musk on the new aircraft, saying, "The president wants those planes sooner so we're working with Elon to see what can we do to pull up the schedule of those programs."

The probable steps that Musk can take to speed up the delivery process are relaxing security clearance standards for those working on the planes, as well as scaling back military communications and defenses on the aircraft. He may also buy another luxury jet and then convert it as per the requirements of Air Force One.

The delay has caused the contract to go $2.7 billion over budget.

Internet warns against rushing presidential planes

Netizens slammed Trump for getting new planes for presidential use, while also warning him against rush jobs by Boeing. The following tweets demonstrate their takes.

"Boeing is already loaded with problems. Speeding up production is begging for a disaster to happen," wrote a user.

"2 new air force one jets? How many does he need," asked another.

"He wants to use them. No concern for cost or security," jibed a third.

"Cheap and easy as trump likes everything," mocked a fourth.

"Yeah that's money well spent," chided a fifth.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online