President Trump has openly criticized the cost of renovating the Federal Reserve headquarters, which is estimated at around $2.5 billion or more by his own account. However, when it comes to another costly Washington renovation—the refurbishment of a “free” Air Force One gifted by Qatar—the White House remains tight-lipped. The official cost of this project has been classified, with budget documents masking the expenses under a mysterious $934 million fund transfer from the Pentagon’s already over-budget nuclear missile modernization program.
Recent reports suggest this transfer is linked to the extensive renovation of the Qatari plane, which Trump wants completed before his presidency ends. The overhaul includes advanced communications, antimissile defenses, and other high-tech upgrades, along with luxurious interiors featuring gold trim and special medical facilities. Despite public concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving Trump’s business ties to Qatar, the president has dismissed criticism, describing the gift as a no-brainer for taxpayers. Congressional officials are worried, however, that diverting funds from the crucial nuclear modernization program for this renovation weakens national security and reflects poorly on fiscal priorities. The Air Force has refused to disclose renovation costs, citing classification, while lawmakers express deep unease about the secrecy and ethics of the arrangement.