Trump attacks plans for upgraded Air Force One

“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!”

That was the tweet from President-elect Donald Trump – @realDonaldTrump – at 7:52 a.m. Dec. 6, though Boeing and news organizations aren’t sure where the figure came from, according to The New York Times. 

Reuters, citing budget documents, reported the “budgeted costs for the Air Force One replacement program are $2.87 billion for the fiscal years 2015 through 2021.” The aircraft manufacturing company issued a statement clarifying it currently is under contract for $170 million to determine the capabilities of the new aircraft.

The Times reports, the current Air Force One, with its white and blue design recognizable around the globe, is aging. There actually are two of the Boeing 747-200B planes, each bearing the famous call sign only when the president is aboard. They were commissioned by President Ronald Reagan and delivered during the term of his successor, President George Bush. The new plane, which the Defense Department had hoped to deliver to the White House by 2023, would be more powerful, able to travel farther and be more technologically advanced.

“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,” Trump said in a news conference from Trump Tower later that morning.

Read more from The New York Times.