this post was submitted on 15 May 2025
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The Boeing 747-8 being offered to Donald Trump by Qatar once served the Qatari royal family and has been sitting unsold for years.

The jet, a lavishly configured version of Boeing's largest passenger aircraft, has been lingering without a buyer since being put up for sale in 2020, according to aircraft listings and aviation analysts.

John Goglia, a former member of the National Transportation Safety Board, told Forbes that giving the 747-8 to the U.S. would allow the Qataris to avoid maintenance costs that were only getting higher—with the 747 fleet shrinking worldwide and fewer mechanics available who know how to work on them.

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[–] El_guapazo@lemmy.world 20 points 1 hour ago

It's the modem day white elephant. Lol

[–] Gsus4@mander.xyz 5 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

lol, the thing is a cheap old crusty mooncake :D

[–] NABDad@lemmy.world 8 points 2 hours ago (2 children)

My in-laws used to do this.

I love them, but every time they bought something new, they'd give us the old one like it wasn't something they were getting rid of. Easier to give it to us than throw it away.

The last time was a sofa and a love seat. We were stuck with the most uncomfortable furniture I've ever had in my life.

[–] glitchdx@lemmy.world 1 points 46 minutes ago (1 children)

I've started telling people to not give me their garbage.

I've made a lot of people upset, but also I don't have to dispose of other people's garbage, so as far as I'm concerned that's a win.

[–] barneypiccolo@lemm.ee 1 points 12 minutes ago (1 children)

Tell them to deliver it, and send them the address of the county landfill.

[–] glitchdx@lemmy.world 1 points 8 minutes ago

they just show up at my house, unannounced, usually while I'm not there, and my roommates tell me "here's a gift from ms derpinshnek", and I have to say "tell her to take it back."

[–] cactusupyourbutt@lemmy.world 1 points 51 minutes ago* (last edited 51 minutes ago)

they gave away a used love seat?

[–] yuknowhokat@lemmy.world 8 points 2 hours ago

We need everybody to tell good old Donnie that he was "gifted" a plane that's the equivalent to the rusty old piece of s*** car that's been sitting in the yard for 5 years and hasn't sold.

[–] aesthelete@lemmy.world 17 points 3 hours ago

🤞 there are mechanical difficulties with it

[–] MuskyMelon@lemmy.world 20 points 4 hours ago (3 children)

It'd be funny if the US decides to accept the plane and then Boeing spends the next 4 years retrofitting it with all the military communications and air defense features that the typical Air Force One carries. Then if Trump leaves office, because of military secrets, they spend the next 4 years stripping it back down to civilian level and he dies before ever getting to use it.

[–] darkdemize@sh.itjust.works 13 points 1 hour ago

As a US taxpayer, I don't find that very amusing. Well, other than the part where Trump dies.

[–] modus@lemmy.world 5 points 1 hour ago

Ooh, say that last part again.

[–] GreenKnight23@lemmy.world 1 points 1 hour ago

don't stop, I'm almost there!

[–] RamblingPanda@lemmynsfw.com 115 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Trump is even bad at being bribed... 🙄

[–] SoloCritical@lemm.ee 24 points 5 hours ago (3 children)

Right? Being gifted a plane is kind of a financial nightmare.

[–] glitch1985@lemmy.world 3 points 2 hours ago

This is the same energy as people who buy their SO a vehicle without any input. Enjoy the new car payments babe.

[–] SecretSauces@lemmy.world 17 points 5 hours ago (2 children)

Its like "winning" a boat or car. Great, you have this thing you couldn't afford. Now pay the taxes on it, that you can't afford.

But also, we all know Trump doesn't pay taxes.

[–] ArtVandelay@lemmy.world 1 points 56 minutes ago* (last edited 55 minutes ago)
[–] Someone@lemmy.ca 4 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

What kind of country taxes prizes? Seems a bit ridiculous if you ask me.

Good ol USA, at a high rate.

[–] dan1101@lemm.ee 1 points 3 hours ago

Not when taxpayers are paying for all the expenses.

[–] ArchmageAzor@lemmy.world 3 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

So you're telling me there's a slight chance of a RUD mid-flight?

[–] yuknowhokat@lemmy.world 1 points 2 hours ago

I would settle for a snafu that ends in an unscheduled remote water landing

[–] disgrunty@slrpnk.net 20 points 5 hours ago

A modern-day white elephant! Kind of hilarious that Trump of all people got it.

[–] Kurious84@eviltoast.org 26 points 5 hours ago* (last edited 5 hours ago) (2 children)

Trump is like a little baby who wants something he knows he shouldn't have. Waaa. I want palace. If he thought he was leaving it 4 years he wouldn't accept.

Why don't they give it to him after his term is up. See if he goes for that. Promise you he wouldn't go for that deal. :). Wonder why.

At least it exposes his selfishness and greeed which is obscene that people need to have this demonstrated given the man clearly has some serious personality issues.

[–] Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 5 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Tell him that retrofitting it to AirForceOne security standards would "ruin the beautiful golden interior" so it will be better to just wait until he's a private citizen again and won't have to follow those stupid security rules. Meanwhile, as President, he'll have to keep using the "little" presidential aircraft.

He might be tempted into quitting early, or at least not extending his reign. Or he'll insist on using the unsecured plane, and maybe something catastrophic will happen over the Pacific.

[–] MutilationWave@lemmy.dbzer0.com -1 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

The current two Air Force One planes (whatever the president is flying in is called Air Force One) are the exact same model as this "gift".

[–] Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago) (1 children)

No, the VC25As are reinforced in many ways. If you mean the size, he's the one called them small.

[–] MutilationWave@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 7 minutes ago

That's fair. I shouldn't have said model. You're right.

[–] towerful@programming.dev 3 points 5 hours ago

He will take it with him if he leaves office.
He will XO a charity gift to the newly found "Trumps School For Governments That Can't Democracy Good", and use it to fly around and give intimate talks at lavish dinners (not keynote speeches. Just be at a table)

[–] Draegur@lemm.ee 10 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Wow so it's not even a NEW plane but shitty high maintenance sloppy seconds.

The mandarin chief really does have a type...

[–] Nay@feddit.nl 5 points 3 hours ago

Mandarin chief... I'm fucking dying, haha

[–] Witchfire@lemmy.world 8 points 5 hours ago

On a scale from the Watergate hotel room to an American embassy in Moscow, how bugged do you think it is?

[–] frostysauce@lemmy.world 2 points 3 hours ago

Critics, however, fear that the acceptance would be unethical and even unconstitutional.

Newsweek could retain at least a shred of journalistic integrity by changing one word there:

Critics, however, ~~fear~~ note that the acceptance would be unethical and even unconstitutional.

[–] paraphrand@lemmy.world 2 points 3 hours ago

Ohh, when he pays the taxes on this, that will be many millions going into our budget, right? Right?

[–] Kecessa@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 hours ago (2 children)

It's an a diversion, media and people are focusing on that when there's much more pressing stuff that needs to be taken care of.

[–] GreenKnight23@lemmy.world 1 points 1 hour ago

like the 20,000 soldiers?

like the rehiring of violent LEOs?

like the federalization of LEOs?

like the CDC gaining the power to arrest people within a "quarantine zone"?

nah man, I don't see it...

[–] Nay@feddit.nl 1 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

This is often the case, so I'm not disagreeing with you. But if you say that without any examples aren't you just yelling at the clouds?

[–] Kecessa@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 hours ago

I mean... Look at everything they've been doing since they took power? Less ICE coverage because people are busy talking about AF1. Women rights, passing a bill that will prevent any anti AI measures, the list goes on and on

[–] mooncake@lemm.ee 3 points 5 hours ago

LOL get fucked pedo