President Trump flew to North Dakota on Tuesday aboard a Boeing 747-8 wide-body jet donated by the government of Qatar, marking the aircraft's first use as Air Force One. The plane is valued at approximately $400 million.
The transfer was arranged earlier this year. Qatar described the gift as a gesture of goodwill. Critics described it as a foreign emolument. Lawyers described it as complicated. The plane flew regardless.
The 747-8 is a long-range heavy aircraft configured for VIP transport. It is larger and newer than the VC-25A aircraft currently designated Air Force One. The interior fit and finish were not disclosed in detail by the White House.
A foreign government has given the sitting president of the United States a $400 million airplane. He flew it to North Dakota. These are the facts in the order they occurred. All views remain equally meaningless.