President Donald Trump departed for North Dakota on July 1, 2026, marking the inaugural flight of the new Air Force One gifted by Qatar to the United States. The president is traveling to attend the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, describing the journey as an exciting milestone for the newly acquired aircraft.
The Boeing 747, featuring a red, white and dark blue color scheme, was unveiled last month at Joint Base Andrews. Qatar gifted the plane to the United States in 2025, though aviation experts estimated the overhaul would cost more than one billion dollars.
Main developments
Before departing, Trump expressed enthusiasm about the aircraft and the trip ahead. “This will be the first flight of what I think is maybe the greatest commercial plane ever built,” Trump said. “This is the first flight; we’re going to the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library opening and that will be very good, that’ll be a lot of fun, but to be honest with you, I’m excited about the first flight.”
When asked about the cost of the aircraft, Trump indicated the expense was minimal compared to alternative approaches. “Very little relative to what it would cost that we did it a different way — so this was a gift from a country that’s treated us very well,” he stated.
Trump also commented on American manufacturing capabilities, saying, “Frankly, we couldn’t build a plane like this because we wouldn’t be willing to spend the kind of money necessary.”
The president is expected to travel to South Dakota on Friday to speak at Mount Rushmore for a July Fourth event, continuing a busy schedule of presidential appearances.
Vice President Vance addresses troops in Virginia
Vice President JD Vance delivered remarks at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, praising military personnel and the administration’s approach to military missions. Vance, who served in the Marines from 2003 to 2007, spoke directly to service members about their contributions.
“You’ve answered the call every single time we’ve given you a mission. You have accomplished it with pride and vigor,” Vance told the gathered troops.
The vice president emphasized what he characterized as a clear direction from the current administration. “The president of the United States has asked you to do more than I think any group of service members has ever been asked to do,” Vance stated, adding that Trump “has given you a defined mission” and “given you the tools to kick the hell out of the enemy and to come home safely.”
Vance contrasted this with previous administrations, noting that “we sometimes had leaders who would ask you all to go to war, but would not give you a clear mission on the other end.”
During the event, Vance also praised Republican Representative Jen Kiggans, a Navy veteran who is facing a close reelection race. He called her “somebody who comes to work every single day and fights for you,” describing her as “a rock star for our veterans” and “a rock star for our troops.”
Former Secretary Buttigieg speaks about false CPS report
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg addressed a false Child Protective Services report that targeted his family last week. Buttigieg described the experience as representing “some of the darkest times of my life.”
Despite the incident, Buttigieg noted bipartisan support in response to the situation. He mentioned receiving outreach from “actually people from the other side, people in some cases that I campaigned against, reaching out or speaking out in solidarity.”
Buttigieg expressed hope that “whoever did this is found and is prosecuted, because this caused a huge amount of pain in our family.”
The former secretary indicated the incident would not deter his activities. “This is not going to slow me down, you know. Just this month, I’m going to be in Iowa, going to be in Florida, going to be doing work here around Michigan,” he said.
Buttigieg also issued a broader statement about political conduct: “whatever you think of somebody’s politics, however you want to argue or fight about political issues, you leave somebody’s children alone.”
One-year anniversary of major tax legislation
The coverage also marks the one-year anniversary of Trump signing the legislation known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” According to confirmed information, the bill extends approximately 4.5 trillion dollars in tax cuts over 10 years.
The legislation also includes cuts of about 1.1 trillion dollars from healthcare and food assistance programs. Additionally, the bill adds a projected 4.7 trillion dollars to the national debt over the next decade.
Trump financial disclosure reveals cryptocurrency earnings
President Trump’s financial disclosure form, spanning 927 pages, reveals significant cryptocurrency-related income. The document covers the first year of Trump’s second term in 2025.
According to the disclosure, Trump earned more than 635 million dollars from a Celebration Coins licensing agreement for a meme coin. His total cryptocurrency holdings exceed one billion dollars.
The financial disclosure details additional income streams: over 236 million dollars from additional crypto token sales, over 65 million dollars from a World Liberty Financial equity sale, and over 290 million dollars from World Liberty cryptocurrency wallets.
For comparison, former President Barack Obama’s final disclosure form was 8 pages, former President Joe Biden’s was 11 pages, and Vice President Vance’s current disclosure is 17 pages.
What we know so far
President Trump took his first flight on the new Qatar-gifted Air Force One to North Dakota on July 1, 2026. The Boeing 747 aircraft was gifted by Qatar in 2025 and unveiled last month at Joint Base Andrews. Vice President Vance addressed military personnel in Virginia Beach. Pete Buttigieg spoke about a false CPS report targeting his family that occurred last week. Trump’s 927-page financial disclosure reveals over one billion dollars in cryptocurrency holdings and related earnings.
What happens next
President Trump is expected to travel to South Dakota on Friday, July 3, 2026, to deliver remarks at Mount Rushmore for a July Fourth event. The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening in North Dakota serves as the destination for the current trip.
Important details
The new Air Force One cost more than one billion dollars to overhaul, according to aviation expert estimates. The aircraft features a red, white and dark blue color scheme that differs from previous presidential aircraft designs.
Representative Jen Kiggans, mentioned during Vance’s Virginia Beach speech, faces a competitive reelection campaign. The congresswoman is a Navy veteran representing a Virginia district.
The identity of who filed the false CPS report against the Buttigieg family remains unknown, as the report was anonymous.
Frequently asked questions
Where did Qatar’s Air Force One plane come from?
Qatar gifted the Boeing 747 to the United States in 2025. The plane was unveiled at Joint Base Andrews last month after undergoing an overhaul estimated by aviation experts to cost more than one billion dollars.
How much did Trump earn from cryptocurrency according to his disclosure?
Trump’s financial disclosure shows total crypto holdings exceeding one billion dollars, with over 635 million dollars from Celebration Coins licensing, over 236 million dollars from additional token sales, over 65 million dollars from World Liberty Financial equity, and over 290 million dollars from World Liberty cryptocurrency wallets.
What is the One Big Beautiful Bill?
The legislation, signed by Trump one year ago, extends approximately 4.5 trillion dollars in tax cuts over 10 years while cutting about 1.1 trillion dollars from healthcare and food assistance programs. It is projected to add 4.7 trillion dollars to the national debt over the next decade.
President Trump’s North Dakota trip continues a series of high-profile appearances, with the Mount Rushmore event scheduled for the upcoming July Fourth holiday weekend.
