Senators Ricketts and Fischer,
I urge you to stand up for the taxpayers’ dollars and stop wasting money on Donald Trump’s vanity project. This so-called gift from Qatar will cost taxpayers hundreds of millions, possibly more, to retrofit, and none of that cost will ever be recovered. By 2028, the plane is not even staying in service; it is going straight to Trump’s presidential library. That makes this a colossal waste of public funds, and I ask you to stop kneeling to him and start protecting the people who actually pay the bills.
The retrofit itself will take years, yet Trump is already promising to fly on it by early 2026. That timeline is unrealistic given the massive security, communications, and defense upgrades required. Even worse, the Air Force has admitted that money may be pulled from other critical defense programs such as the Sentinel missile modernization project to pay for this luxury jet. That means real national security priorities are being shortchanged just to indulge one man’s ego.
This project is nothing more than a vanity purchase that serves Donald Trump, not the American people. You were elected to represent Nebraskans, not to rubber stamp wasteful spending on a plane that will end up in his library by 2028. I ask you to draw the line here, oppose this misuse of taxpayer money, demand real oversight, and show the courage to stand up for fiscal responsibility. Nebraskans deserve leaders who protect their dollars, not ones who bow to a king.
I Approve this Message
Senator Pete Ricketts Response
Thank you for contacting my office regarding your opinion of President Donald Trump.As you know, on November 6, 2024, President Trump was elected the 47th President of the United States and was sworn into office on January 20, 2025. President Trump’s second inauguration marks an important turning point in our country. After four years of open borders, high prices, overregulation, and weakness on the world stage, we are seeing now real leadership in the White House again. I believe our country’s best days are still ahead of us. As new policies take effect, I will always be sure to evaluate the interests of Nebraskans.
My primary mission as your United States Senator is to make government work with proven Nebraska solutions that are ready for America. To better inform my decision-making, it is important that I hear the ideas, concerns, and opinions of all Nebraskans. I appreciate the time and effort you took to provide input regarding President Trump.
If you have any other concerns or need help with a federal agency, please do not hesitate to reach out. You can contact my office through the following ways:
· Phone: (202) 224-4224 or (402) 550-8040
· Website: ricketts.senate.gov/contact
· Kearney Office: 4111 4thAvenue, Suite 26, Kearney, NE 68845
· Lincoln Office: 1248 ‘O’ Street, Suite 1000, Lincoln, NE 68508
· Omaha Office: 304 N. 168th Circle, Suite 213, Omaha, NE 68118
· Scottsbluff Office: 115 Railway Street, Suite C102, Scottsbluff, NE 69361
· Washington, D.C. Office: 139 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
It is an honor to serve as your Senator for the great state of Nebraska.
Sincerely,
Pete Ricketts
United States Senator
Response from Senator Deb Fischer
October 1, 2025
Thank you for contacting me with your concerns. I appreciate receiving your comments.
As you may know, on May 21, 2025, the Department of Defense confirmed reports that the United States had accepted a Boeing 747-8 aircraft from the government of Qatar as part of the program to replace the Air Force One fleet. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has tasked the Air Force to plan the modifications that would be required for this aircraft to support Presidential travel.
The modifications to this aircraft will likely be significant, both to ensure that plane is secure from any potential foreign threats and to install the communications systems and sensors necessary to support Presidential travel. Congress will have the opportunity to review the Air Force’s plans – including the budget and schedule of the modifications – over the coming weeks and months. We need to analyze how much it would cost the taxpayers to retrofit the Qatari aircraft compared to potentially expediting the current Air Force One program of record – which President Trump has rightly criticized for being delayed.
Please be assured that as the Air Force develops planned modifications for the Qatari plane, I will keep your comments in mind. I support transparency in government and appreciate your input on this matter. It is this dialogue between elected officials and the people they represent that helps make our democratic process work. If you have additional questions or concerns, please visit my website: www.fischer.senate.
Sincerely,
Deb Fischer
United States Senator