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
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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.
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