Reporters owe Donald Trump an apology for their failed fact-checks of cost of Air Force One

Early Tuesday morning, President-elect Trump tweeted that the U.S. should cancel its contract with Boeing for a replacement for Air Force One, citing a figure of $4 billion:

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!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 6, 2016

Reporters quickly told the president-elect he was wrong and that the actual cost of the replacement planes was $1.65 billion (for two aircraft), not $4 billion (Spoiler: Trump is right — scroll down):

https://twitter.com/drewharwell/status/806143936532189186

FYI, contract for two 747s used by president was only $1.65 billion (h/t @mariebeaudette ) https://t.co/SNogq2LMsN https://t.co/8QQtq4w3HZ

— Ben Eisen (@BenEisen) December 6, 2016

Back story: Air Force said it earmarked $1.65 billion for two new presidential aircrafts (not $4 billion for one) https://t.co/nRCGzOMMqh https://t.co/f8Tp68ngN4

— Megan Cassella (@mmcassella) December 6, 2016

The actual number is $1.65 billion to build two new Air Force One aircraft. ($825 million each)

Not $4 billion.https://t.co/OSrsF5U2pY https://t.co/aGTZSBIwlN

— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) December 6, 2016

Boeing further muddied the waters by trying to claim that the contract was only for R&D and a total of $170 million:

False. Boeing notes its contract is for $170M. Contract here: https://t.co/O5wc3SfCkv HT @EricLiptonNYT https://t.co/CA6BtgqhHm

— Pam Kruger (@PamKrugerwriter) December 6, 2016

Boeing's contract for Air Force One is for $170 million, not $4 billion, but hey! #trumpfacts https://t.co/bUecLcyzke

— Gabrielle Levy ? (@gabbilevy) December 6, 2016

But, surprise! “Trump is correct,” according to NBC News:

$4 billion for AF1? Trump is right. https://t.co/JhiBwzUU0m pic.twitter.com/9V77TixcbT

— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) December 6, 2016

Time to apologize everyone.

***