That's still cheaper than the current GAO estimate for the new Boeing 747-8 Air Force One replacements. The current estimate, for two, is $5.6 billion and they won't be ready until 2029. (The original cost was $3.9 billion.)
cr125rider · 3h ago
He has stated he will keep it after leaving the presidency. So it’s now a $6.6 billion dollar project.
EA-3167 · 2h ago
He says a lot of things, why should we assume that this is the rare occasion of him telling the truth? Note that I don't particularly want our president flying in a golden jet either, and think he's a complete waste of carbon, but the question remains.
jordanb · 31m ago
The "gift" from Qatar is structured as a loan to the USAF that will be automatically recalled followed by a permanent gift to the "Trump library" the moment he is no longer president.
sundaeofshock · 1h ago
He never lies when it comes to his grifts. He is absolutely planning on keeping that plane.
jrs235 · 3h ago
And what's the cost going to be for delaying nuclear modernization?
cosmicgadget · 1h ago
Certainly this fund reallocation will cover the whole thing.
intermerda · 3h ago
Why not let the Qataris do the renovation themselves? It would be even cheaper! Hell, let's do away with Air Force One altogether - let Trump conduct government business from any gold plated plane he likes to travel on.
mykowebhn · 4h ago
And at the same time I see this story on HN:
"4k NASA employees opt to leave agency through deferred resignation program"
This is genius! No other administration could have come up with this plan! So much winning.
bananapub · 3h ago
I am endlessly fascinated by how almost the entire American elite has just accepted the federal government being couped and at least four years of just self-dealing, corruption, theft and all of policy being driven by whatever idiotic childish whims one senile old man has, completely unrestrained by congress or courts or advisors.
are they just this pathetic? or do they largely see this as personally beneficial?
bigbadfeline · 1m ago
> are they just this pathetic? or do they largely see this as personally beneficial?
They don't "see this", they control it.
> I am endlessly fascinated by how almost the entire American elite has just accepted... policy being driven by idiotic childish whims
There's nothing idiotic, childish or whimsy - bread for some, circuses for the rest - it's a scheme old as the world. The reality show isn't real.
DangitBobby · 3h ago
Well it's been pretty effectively demonstrated that impeachment is not an option and he has the protection of the SC so I don't know what you think should happen. I guess they could start trying to rip Congress and the Senate apart to make impeachment possible but I think that would take at least a couple of years.
Guid_NewGuid · 3h ago
I have a theory that this is built into the American system. People are brainwashed into thinking the system of government is perfect and unimpeachable (pledge of allegiance, constitution being this holy scripture). So when the imperfect system inevitably breaks down it is regarded as an unavoidable outcome.
Because the system delivered the outcome it must be the only possibility.
jrs235 · 3h ago
American Exceptionalism, and the belief of the United States superiority and infallibility, is built on quasi-religious beliefs. The holy documents include the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Those that follow it hold up the founding fathers on pedestals and work to cover their negative attributes/sins (being and benefitting from being slave owners, many having adulterous affairs, etc.) To not hold such pride is to be unpatriotic according to followers. Heresy and blasphemy which should get people kicked out or killed.
jrs235 · 3h ago
I'm going to assume both answers are the same and that the answer is "Yes".
jaybrendansmith · 1h ago
Who is the American elite? If you mean billionaires...they are all in on the take. If you mean big business, they are hoping for the destruction of the regulatory state, you know, the one that keeps citizens safe and healthy. If you mean the intelligentsia, they are being cowed, threatened, and fired into submission ... most will start looking for a clean exit to Europe very soon. So which elite do you mean?
catlikesshrimp · 4h ago
Just use reader mode in firefox.
But the title says it all.
freeopinion · 3h ago
Here's a bit that is hard to stuff into a 10-word headline.
"Nuclear modernization" refers to the development of the Sentinel missile to replace the Minuteman III missile. It is arguably not a modernization at all. It is a spectacular example of spreading seemingly endless money around for political ends. It's a $140+ billion boondoggle that has somehow escaped the attention of DOGE while they were hunting down what they claim is $170 billion in fraud and waste in places like the national parks.
"4k NASA employees opt to leave agency through deferred resignation program"
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44699052
Not sure how either story is making anything great again...
are they just this pathetic? or do they largely see this as personally beneficial?
They don't "see this", they control it.
> I am endlessly fascinated by how almost the entire American elite has just accepted... policy being driven by idiotic childish whims
There's nothing idiotic, childish or whimsy - bread for some, circuses for the rest - it's a scheme old as the world. The reality show isn't real.
Because the system delivered the outcome it must be the only possibility.
But the title says it all.
"Nuclear modernization" refers to the development of the Sentinel missile to replace the Minuteman III missile. It is arguably not a modernization at all. It is a spectacular example of spreading seemingly endless money around for political ends. It's a $140+ billion boondoggle that has somehow escaped the attention of DOGE while they were hunting down what they claim is $170 billion in fraud and waste in places like the national parks.