local
Retrofitted Qatari jet takes flight as Air Force One for Trump's trip to North Dakota
By Julia Demaree Nikhinson And Josh Boak, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 1, 2026
· 2 min read
President Donald Trump on Wednesday is taking his maiden voyage on a new Air Force One — a retrofitted Boeing 747 worth $400 million gifted by Qatar that embeds his personality more deeply into the institution of the American presidency.Gone is the trademark light blue hull that helped Air Force ...
Key takeaway The jet is carrying Trump to North Dakota to see the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, its first official visitor ahead of its opening on the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Why this matters in Tomball News
As Tomball residents watch President Trump's maiden voyage on the retrofitted Qatari jet, they may wonder what this means for the local economy and Texas's role in the aviation industry. With Boeing expected to deliver new Air Force One planes in 2028, it's possible that some of the manufacturing or maintenance work could be done in Texas, given the state's strong presence of aerospace companies. The fact that the Air Force spent less than $400 million on security upgrades also raises questions about the potential for local contractors to bid on similar projects in the future. Additionally, the president's visit to North Dakota may draw attention to the region's economic development efforts, which could have implications for Tomball's own economic growth initiatives, particularly in the areas of tourism and infrastructure development.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Tomball News 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 KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? President Donald Trump on Wednesday is taking his maiden voyage on a new Air Force One — a retrofitted Boeing 747 worth $400 million gifted by Qatar that embeds his personality more deeply into the institution of the American presidency.Gone is the trademark light blue hull that helped Air Force ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Tomball News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Julia Demaree Nikhinson And Josh Boak, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Tomball News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Tomball News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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