White House staff share emotional tributes as Donald Trump's Air Force One completes 'final flight'

White House staff have shared emotional tributes as Donald Trump's Air Force One touches down for the "final" time.

After returning from the President's G7 trip, Washington personnel took to social media to salute the aircraft after serving Presidents for 35 years.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino shared a photo of the plane and said that he was "fortunate to fly around the world on this iconic plane for five and a half years — of the 35 years it has been serving US Presidents… THANK YOU…"

"The last ride," White House communications director Steve Cheung said. "Well done, good and faithful servant."

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After it landed early this morning back at DC, the two high-flying officials bid farewell to the Boeing 747-200 with a new $400million aircraft on its way.

A trio of 747-800s are being modified as VC-25Bs to take on the role, which includes a lush jet gifted to the President from Qatar, to fill the role until the two others are ready in a few years' time.

"The VC-25B Bridge aircraft will soon join the active executive airlift fleet alongside the VC-25A and C-32," an Air Force spokesman told CNN.

The C-32 is often deployed to carry the Vice President, First Lady and some of Mr Trump's top team.

Last month, the Air Force said the Qatari jet had completed its modification and flight testing and will soon be ready to be deployed as the President's main carrier.

The military force confirmed the aircraft was set to launch its inaugural flight as soon as this summer.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that his department accepted the generous gift as a unconditional donation.

However, the acceptance has generated significant backlash from Democrats, with some flagging that taxpayers are being forced to foot the bill to modify a plane that will only be used for the rest of Mr Trump's presidential term.

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For the first flight in the luxury jet, Mr Trump is understood to be considering going to a fireworks display at the start of July over at Mount Rushmore to comemmorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The upcoming trip, however, has not been carved in stone just yet, a top administration official said.

The Air Force commenced its modification of the new jet last year, including a fresh paint job in a striking red, white gold and navy - selected by the President himself.

Mr Trump was in favour of the colour scheme in his first term in the Oval Office - but it was shut down when Joe Biden was catapulted into the West Wing.

Then, once the businessman returned for a second term, his colour preferences were back on the agenda once again.

The Air Force confirmed the plane was "on schedule to roll out in a new red, white and blue livery this summer".

"Ultimately, the Bridge aircraft fulfills a critical short-term requirement, guaranteeing the Air Force continues to execute its no-fail mission for the commander in chief while laying a rock-solid foundation for the future," he added.

The retiring jet, however, has been with several Presidents since its creation, with its own inaugural flight taking place back in 1990 when it carried George W Bush to Kansas.

Since, it has been a part of emergency travels, including when Mr Bush was ferried to Louisiana, then to a secure bunker in Nebraska, in the immediate aftermath of 9/11.

It has also welcomed the likes of Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and George HW Bush throughout the 1990s.

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