US EditionDemocrats press Air Force on Qatar jet funding details
UNITED STATES, AUG 8 – Democrats question if funds diverted from the $934 million Sentinel nuclear missile program are undermining national security to retrofit a Qatari gift jet into Air Force One.
- Congressman John Garamendi and several other lawmakers requested information this week regarding the funding for the $400 million Qatari luxury jet gifted to President Trump in May, directing their inquiries to the head of the Air Force, Troy Meink.
- Concerns arose because reports indicate the Air Force’s Sentinel nuclear missile program funds are being redirected to pay for costly retrofits on the Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to meet Air Force One standards.
- Lawmakers criticized the lack of transparency and warned that the Sentinel program, which is already delayed and 81% over budget, is at risk from these budget diversions.
- Meink stated earlier this year that the jet requires significant modifications, and in June estimated retrofit costs to be probably less than $400 million, while questioning remains about classified budget details.
- The inquiry implies continued scrutiny is needed to ensure taxpayer funds are not wasted and that vital defense projects like the Sentinel program are not compromised by funding for presidential aircraft upgrades.
6 Articles
6 Articles
Democrats demand answers on using nuclear modernization funds to renovate Trump’s Qatari jet
Democratic lawmakers are demanding answers from Air Force Secretary Troy Meink on whether funds for a nuclear modernization program are being raided to pay for retrofits to the luxury jet that Qatar gifted to President Donald Trump.
Times-Herald
The ReporterGaramendi criticizes Air Force One update
Congressman John Garamendi and other congressional leaders sent a letter to Air Force Secretary Troy Meink this week, demanding details on funds from the Sentinel nuclear program to pay for retrofits on a luxury jet given to President Donald Trump by the nation of Qatar. “For years, I’ve criticized the waste and mismanagement of the Sentinel Program. After years of mismanagement and failed planning, recent reports suggest that the program is so …
Democrats press Air Force on Qatar jet funding details
A group of six Democratic lawmakers is demanding more details from the Air Force as to how the service is siphoning funding from a nuclear missile modernization program to pay for retrofits for a luxury jet, gifted to the Trump administration by Qatar, to make it usable as Air Force One. In a letter sent Wednesday…
Dems' letter on Qatari jet mods for Air Force One
Thursday, August 7, 2025In an Aug. 6, 2025 letter, Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA) and Jamie Raskin (D-MD) along with Sens. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Ed Markey (D-MA) wrote to Air Force Secretary Troy Meink about the service's acceptance of the Boeing 747 that the Qatari royal family had used, seeking details on the largely secretive "gift" to the Defense Department and its impact on the funding for the …
Democrats Sound Alarm Over Cost to Retrofit Qatari Jet
“Leading Democrats are sounding the alarm over Donald Trump’s reported plan to divert funds from the U.S. nuclear arsenal to convert a luxury jet gifted by Qatar into a new Air Force One,” The Guardian reports.
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