Cogito Ergo Non Serviam

Trump Grandstands over Air Force One Upgrade

Donald Trump, president-elect of the Republic, has decided that Boeing was gouging the taxpayer with its plans to upgrade Air Force One. He didn't like the $4 billion price tag. It does look extravagant unless one looks under the hood, but Mr. Trump's followers don't care for that. The price is high, and they believe they are paying for it. For their hero to cancel the order merely endears him to them, regardless of whether it is a good idea.

Mr. Trump, issuing decrees by Twitter, tweeted out, "Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!" Elsewhere, he stated, "The plane is totally out of control. It's going to be over $4 billion for Air Force One program, and I think it's ridiculous. I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number. We want Boeing to make a lot of money, but not that much money."

So, he has canceled the order. The US government's budget is discussed in trillions of dollars, a magnitude that most people can't fathom. All they know is that it is a lot. A plane that costs four billion is a lot too. It must, as a matter of principle, be a waste. Their president-elect is already taking on the special interests by killing this boondoggle, in their simplistic view.

That doesn't mean the issue of Air Force One goes away. What alternatives are there? The two aircraft (Boeing 747-200Bs, designated VC-25A by the Air Force) serve as Air Force One when the president is aboard. They were built when Mr. Reagan was president, and as a result, they need maintenance more than a new aircraft would.

"Parts obsolescence, diminishing manufacturing sources and increased downtimes for maintenance are existing challenges that will increase until a new aircraft is fielded," Col. Amy McCain, manager of the Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization program, said in a statement at the time.

Of course, Mr. Trump has his own plane, and one expects him to try to use it as an Air Force One, charging the taxpayer for the privilege. However, that would mean the installation of all sorts of communications hardware and software, and a huge amount of customization. It would come it an less than $4 billion certainly, but when Mr. Trump leaves office, it is likely he will take the plane with him. Or, he may sell it to the government, pocketing a hefty sum for a new plane.

Boeing is minimizing the damage issuing a statement on its website that read, "We are currently under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of these complex military aircraft that serve the unique requirements of the president of the United States. We look forward to working with the U.S. Air Force on subsequent phases of the program allowing us to deliver the best planes for the president at the best value for the American taxpayer." As of 9:45 am this morning, Boeing's stock was down 0.8%.

In a budget of trillions, a $4 billion program is a rounding error. But canceling this order gives Mr. Trump something to show his fans. Whether it makes financial sense is irrelevant (it doesn't). What is important to them is that he is already shaking things up in Washington. That's what they voted for, and he is already delivering.

However, in four years, when the national debt is rising again because tax cuts have not reflected spending cuts, they will wonder why this kind of move didn't fix things. The truth is this is merely cosmetic. It looks nice, but it doesn't affect the reality. Eventually, even Mr. Trump's supporters cannot deny reality; death and taxes happen.

© Copyright 2016 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Ubuntu Linux.



Kensington Review Home