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Trump says Qatari-gifted Air Force One will be ‘maxed out,’ appearing to confirm security issues
Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by CNN Newsource , KVIA ABC-7
· July 20, 2026
· 3 min read
By Laura Sharman and Christina Asencio
(CNN) — US President Donald Trump said Sunday that the Qatari-donated jet that has served as Air Force One will be sent for upgrades, appearing to acknowledge the plane is not as thoroughly outfitted as older aircrafts.
Stepping off the plane on his retu...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The El Paso Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting CNN Newsource, KVIA ABC-7 Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 20, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway “It has a lot of capability but, as I understand it, in about a month or so they’re going to send it to have it be maxed out,” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews.
Why this matters in The El Paso
El Paso residents may recall the security protocols in place when Air Force One lands at local airfields, such as Biggs Army Airfield at Fort Bliss. The news that the Qatari-donated jet serving as Air Force One will be upgraded to address security concerns raises questions about the safety measures in place for presidential visits to the El Paso area. As the city has hosted various high-profile events and dignitaries, the security of Air Force One is of particular interest to local authorities and residents. The fact that security personnel have expressed concerns about the newer plane's capabilities in international settings may prompt a review of security protocols for future presidential visits to El Paso. Local officials may need to reassess and adapt their security plans to ensure the safe arrival and departure of the president, regardless of which plane is used.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 20, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 3 min
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What is this story about? By Laura Sharman and Christina Asencio
(CNN) — US President Donald Trump said Sunday that the Qatari-donated jet that has served as Air Force One will be sent for upgrades, appearing to acknowledge the plane is not as thoroughly outfitted as older aircrafts.
Stepping off the plane on his retu...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 20, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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