local
Trump says US “couldn’t build a plane like this” as Qatari-gifted Air Force One embarks on inaugural flight
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 1, 2026
· 2 min read
By Aileen Graef, CNN
(CNN) — President Donald Trump shared his excitement for the inaugural flight of the new Air Force One, a luxury jet donated by the government of Qatar, saying the US “couldn’t build a plane like this.”
“I’m excited about the first flight,” he told reporters ahead of his ...
Key takeaway ” “I’m excited about the first flight,” he told reporters ahead of his flight to North Dakota for an America 250 celebration.
Why this matters in The El Paso
El Paso residents may wonder what this development means for the local economy and Fort Bliss, a major military installation in the area. While the new Air Force One's inaugural flight is a national story, its implications could be felt locally if the US military's procurement and maintenance practices change as a result of this gift from Qatar. The fact that the US is relying on a foreign-donated plane to serve as Air Force One until new US-built planes are ready raises questions about the future of defense contracting and how it might affect local businesses that work with the military. As the new plane begins its service, El Pasoans will be watching to see if any opportunities or challenges arise for the local defense industry, which is a significant sector in the regional economy.
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 1, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 2 min
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What is this story about? By Aileen Graef, CNN
(CNN) — President Donald Trump shared his excitement for the inaugural flight of the new Air Force One, a luxury jet donated by the government of Qatar, saying the US “couldn’t build a plane like this.”
“I’m excited about the first flight,” he told reporters ahead of his ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 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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