White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt drew online criticism after posting photos of herself aboard the newly unveiled Air Force One, a $400 million jet gifted to President Donald Trump by the government of Qatar.
Leavitt wrote on X Wednesday evening, “What a privilege to be aboard the inaugural flight on the brand new Air Force One! A truly unforgettable day.”
She shared three photos: one of herself seated in front of bookshelves, another with White House aide Margo Martin posing beside the aircraft on the tarmac and a third showing Trump speaking to reporters before the flight to North Dakota.
Critics react with anger over taxpayer costs
The post quickly drew criticism.
One user wrote, “I can only imagine how huge your diaper bag must be.”
Another responded, “Of Course Trump used our money and bought himself a new plane. Its the most Trump thing I’ve seen all day outside of his kids bragging about it.”
A third commenter said, “U.S TAXPAYERS – PAID A PORTION OF THE PLANE’S MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR RETROFITTING.”
A fourth person wrote, “Waste of taxpayer money. You’re nothing but a spokesperson for a rap***.”
Some users also focused on the books visible in one of Leavitt’s photos, saying the shelves appeared to contain decorative books with generic titles such as “Library,” “Arts,” “Vintages” and “Antiques.” Several titles appeared to repeat, prompting speculation that the books were decorative props similar to those used in furniture showrooms.
One user reacted, “It’s all decoration. Just like Trump’s Diplomas, decoration, all made up.”
While another user wrote, “Of course they don’t read. They work for Trump. They can’t know more than Trump. That would be career ending.”
Trump’s praises the aircraft
Before boarding, Trump praised the aircraft, calling it “maybe the greatest commercial plane ever built.”
He told reporters, “I said to Boeing, ‘What’s the best one?’ They said, ‘This is the best plane ever built,’ and you’re gonna have the privilege of flying it and I have the privilege also of flying it.”
Trump also thanked the Emir of Qatar, saying: “The workmanship of this plane is when you see it, you won’t believe it. The quality of woods, the materials, the engines — nothing like it.”
The new Air Force One has been controversial since its unveiling. The Qatari gift has drawn bipartisan scrutiny, with critics questioning whether Trump could retain the aircraft through his presidential library foundation after leaving office.
