Been watching the 747 thing with a lot of amusement because all the Super Duper Hot Takes have been hilarious.

First, Boeing doesn't make the 747 anymore. They hadn't made any airliners out of it in fact for years. The last one that anyone bought was a cargo plane and that was in 2023.

Now, Air Force One. The AF actually has 2 of these jets. Both date from the late 1980's, so these are tired airframes with a lot of miles on them. Plans for upgrades and replacements have been in the works for a long time:

popularmechanics.com - Air force one is getting old

The President's planes are showing their age but a new one is going to take a while.

Headshot of Eric LimerBy Eric LimerPublished: Oct 19, 2015 11:11 AM EDT

Let's note the date on this article.

According to The New York Times, the Department of Defense is currently trying to button up a contract for the next iteration of Air Force One mainstays. The current pair—first flown in 1987—are modified Boeing 747-200Bs, a model that was initially introduced way back in 1971 but hasn't been in production since 1991. Replacement parts are no longer manufactured, leaving the Air Force with the trouble of having them custom made.

And when would the new replacements arrive?

The new planes, which may not go into service until as late as 2023, will be based off Boeings 747-8 design, a much-updated version of the 747 that has the same engines and cockpit electronics as the 787, aka the Dreamliner.

Well that didn't happen.

Next, let's talk about the AF1 program itself. Being from Seattle and knowing a zillion people at Boeing, you bet I know a few folks attached to the AF1 program. It's been...a ride for them. Turns out the Air Force wanted some rather insane requirements and has been bombarding Boeing with silly requirements and change orders for years.

There are so many delays that Trump said 'where's my plane' and sent DOGE and Elon Musk in person out to visit the AF1 folks (they're not doing the work in Seattle) in San Antonio.

You might ask, "Why didn't Elon just cancel the thing right then and there since Boeing is so obviously incompetent?" It's because of... the Air Force's changing (and absurd) requirements.

So there you go.

They need a backup Air Force 1.
Boeing doesn't make them any more.
Replacement parts are difficult.
A newer plane was in discussions for a while.