Trump ruthlessly mocked for fake ‘library’ books on his new Qatar-gifted Air Force One

WorldPolitics
2 Jul 2026 • 10:09 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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Trump ruthlessly mocked for fake ‘library’ books on his new Qatar-gifted Air Force One

President Donald Trump is being mocked online after boasting about his new $400 million Air Force One jet — which appears to be fitted with a wall containing dozens of fake books.

Trump and his entourage took flight Wednesday for the first time on the jet, which was gifted to the U.S. by Qatar. Across social media, members of the Trump administration showed off some of the plane’s plush finishes, including pillows branded with the presidential seal, a meeting table trimmed in white grain leather, and decorative touches including framed volumes and images of Washington landmarks on the walls.

Also featured on the luxe aircraft is a bookshelf full of fake books, including some simply labeled “Library,” which social media users were quick to spot in the background of photos shared by Trump officials.

“Of course a plane full of people who have never read a book has a bookshelf of fake books with titles like ‘Library’” one X user wrote.

“Volume III of the Library is a real nail-biter,” another user joked.

Trump administration members took their first flight on the new, Qatar-gifted Air Force One on Wednesday, as the president headed to North Dakota for an event (Monica Crowley / Karoline Leavitt)

Another X user summed it up: “Again, a perfect representation of the Trump administration.... all show and no substance.”

Meanwhile, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt filmed an Instagram vlog of the trip on the new jet as administration members headed to North Dakota to celebrate the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.

In the video, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller flashed Leavitt a peace sign and told her the new plane was “majestic.”

During the voyage, White House staffers had a brunch of bagel sandwiches, fruit and juice, pictures showed.

The new plane features Trump’s preferred red, white and blue color scheme (Getty)

The kickoff flight also displayed the jet’s new color scheme, which traded Air Force One’s traditional sky blue for a red-white-and-blue livery resembling Trump’s private planes.

“We had it all painted up, and these are the new colors: red, white and blue,” Trump told service members last month at Joint Base Andrews while standing in a hangar in front of the massive jet. “It was my taste.”

Administration members may be upbeat about the sparkling new Boeing VC-25B, but it has remained controversial since it was announced.

The new Air Force One features white leather trim, photos of Washington landmarks and the presidential seal emblazoned on pillows (Monica Crowley)The jet has remained controversial since it was announced, with critics sighting ethics concerns and cost worries (Steven Cheung)

Critics accused Doha of using the gift to curry favor with the president, while others questioned the need for a new plane given that the Air Force is already working on multi-billion dollar replacements to the previous-generation Air Force One.

The president has said the ex-Qatari jet will be used until the official replacements are ready, at which point the gifted Air Force One will reportedly be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library.

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