United States President Joe Biden reportedly has been using "lower stairs" to board Air Force One and avoid falling on the staircase, according to a report published in Politico which emphasised the "intentional shift" in the efforts being made to make the travel of the president easier.&nbsp;

As reported by the Politico, two advisers of Biden have "privately acknowledged an intentional shift to steer the 80-year-old president to the lower stairs more often to make his travel easier and limit the possibility for missteps". The media outlet further emphasised that President Biden was sporting sneakers and not shoes recently.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/republican-greene-marjorie-criticised-for-showing-explicit-photos-of-hunter-biden-at-congressional-hearing-617882">Republican Greene Marjorie criticised for showing explicit photos of Hunter Biden at congressional hearing</a>

"The sneakers are another concession to comfort necessitated by age," reported Politico. "One person close to the president said Biden used to always resist wearing anything other than dress shoes, believing that any other footwear look was unpresidential. But he has eased up on that stance in recent months," the report added.&nbsp;

When White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked by Bloomberg’s Justin Sink about the changes reported by the media and if the president was facing "mobility problems", Jean-Pierre responded, "I don’t have any decision process to walk through. I’m sure there’s a protocol that’s used for the — for Air Force One. I just don’t have one."

<h2>Concerns over Biden's fitness</h2>

Multiple times, President Biden has tripped while walking up the stairs of Air Force One. The media outlet said that the president's aides have been doing everything they can to "limit situations where any signs of physical frailty might be on heightened display."

According to Politico, shorter stairs are generally used by presidents during bad weather.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Whistleblowers in Hunter Biden case testify before Congress

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/whistleblowers-in-hunter-biden-case-testify-before-congress-617718/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Concerns have been expressed by democrats, voters and President Biden's aides over the age of the president and his ability to continue a second term, as he campaigns for 2024 re-election. His age has been touted by President Biden as an advantage. While speaking to MSNBC in an interview in May, he said that he knows "more than the vast majority of people."

"Because I have acquired a hell of a lot of wisdom. I know more than the vast majority of people. I’m more experienced than anybody who has ever run for the office and I think I've proven myself to be honourable as well as also effective," Biden said.&nbsp;

You can&nbsp;now write for&nbsp;wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

<main>
<section>
WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" data-gtm-yt-inspected-19="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-24="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-32="true" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
</section>
</main>

United States President Joe Biden reportedly has been using "lower stairs" to board Air Force One and avoid falling on the staircase, according to a report published in Politico which emphasised the "intentional shift" in the efforts being made to make the travel of the president easier.

United States President Joe Biden reportedly has been using "lower stairs" to board Air Force One and avoid falling on the staircase, according to a report published in Politico which emphasised the "intentional shift" in the efforts being made to make the travel of the president easier. As reported by the Politico, two advisers of Biden have "privately acknowledged an intentional shift to steer the 80-year-old president to the lower stairs more often to make his travel easier and limit the possibility for missteps". The media outlet further emphasised that President Biden was sporting sneakers and not shoes recently. ALSO READ | Republican Greene Marjorie criticised for showing explicit photos of Hunter Biden at congressional hearing "The sneakers are another concession to comfort necessitated by age," reported Politico. "One person close to the president said Biden used to always resist wearing anything other than dress shoes, believing that any other footwear look was unpresidential. But he has eased up on that stance in recent months," the report added. When White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked by Bloomberg’s Justin Sink about the changes reported by the media and if the president was facing "mobility problems", Jean-Pierre responded, "I don’t have any decision process to walk through. I’m sure there’s a protocol that’s used for the — for Air Force One. I just don’t have one." Concerns over Biden's fitness Multiple times, President Biden has tripped while walking up the stairs of Air Force One. The media outlet said that the president's aides have been doing everything they can to "limit situations where any signs of physical frailty might be on heightened display." According to Politico, shorter stairs are generally used by presidents during bad weather. WATCH | Whistleblowers in Hunter Biden case testify before Congress Concerns have been expressed by democrats, voters and President Biden's aides over the age of the president and his ability to continue a second term, as he campaigns for 2024 re-election. His age has been touted by President Biden as an advantage. While speaking to MSNBC in an interview in May, he said that he knows "more than the vast majority of people." "Because I have acquired a hell of a lot of wisdom. I know more than the vast majority of people. I’m more experienced than anybody who has ever run for the office and I think I've proven myself to be honourable as well as also effective," Biden said. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Biden orders 'lower stairs' on Air Force One, opts for loafers to avoid tripping

The US Air Force on Friday (March 10) discarded the colour palette chosen by former president Donald Trump for Air Force One and unveiled a new colour scheme for the presidential aircraft. President Joe Biden is going ahead with a classic blue-and-white colour scheme for the jets which are under construction. This means that the design that dates back to John Kennedy administration will be retained.

Former president Trump, who left office in January 2021, wanted a bolder red, white and blue design, and kept a scale model bearing those colors on a coffee table in the Oval Office.

Trump's design called for a deep red stripe down the middle of the aircraft and a dark blue underbelly.

The colours presented challenges to engineers, however, and a Friday statement from the secretary of the Air Force cited possible delays and tests to deal with "the added heat" from the darker shade of blue.

The new Air Force One aircraft will instead closely resemble the aging current one, although the light blue will be a "more modern tone" than the existing robin's egg blue, and there will be no polished metal on the fuselage "because modern commercial aircraft skin alloys don't allow for it," it said.

The replacement aircraft are projected to be delivered in 2027 and 2028, so the winner of the 2024 elections will be the first to take off in the new jets.

The Boeing aircraft are not like commercial airliners. Each includes high-tech communication facilities, a medical bay and a self-defence system.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

The US Air Force on Friday (March 10) discarded the colour palette chosen by former president Donald Trump for Air Force One and unveiled a new colour scheme for the presidential aircraft.

The US Air Force on Friday (March 10) discarded the colour palette chosen by former president Donald Trump for Air Force One and unveiled a new colour scheme for the presidential aircraft. President Joe Biden is going ahead with a classic blue-and-white colour scheme for the jets which are under construction. This means that the design that dates back to John Kennedy administration will be retained. Former president Trump, who left office in January 2021, wanted a bolder red, white and blue design, and kept a scale model bearing those colors on a coffee table in the Oval Office. Trump's design called for a deep red stripe down the middle of the aircraft and a dark blue underbelly. The colours presented challenges to engineers, however, and a Friday statement from the secretary of the Air Force cited possible delays and tests to deal with "the added heat" from the darker shade of blue. The new Air Force One aircraft will instead closely resemble the aging current one, although the light blue will be a "more modern tone" than the existing robin's egg blue, and there will be no polished metal on the fuselage "because modern commercial aircraft skin alloys don't allow for it," it said. The replacement aircraft are projected to be delivered in 2027 and 2028, so the winner of the 2024 elections will be the first to take off in the new jets. The Boeing aircraft are not like commercial airliners. Each includes high-tech communication facilities, a medical bay and a self-defence system. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

President Biden junks Air Force One paint scheme chosen by predecessor Trump

US President Joe Biden appeared to trip and fall while climbing steps to board his official chauffeur aircraft, Air Force One in Warsaw, Poland. A video of the incident is now going viral on social media, with netizens showing sympathy for the octogenarian.

US President Joe Biden appeared to trip and fall while climbing steps to board his official chauffeur aircraft, Air Force One in Warsaw, Poland. A video of the incident is now going viral on social media, with netizens showing sympathy for the octogenarian. In the video, Biden can be seen briskly ascending the steps initially, only to fall mid-way through the climb. However, he picks himself up rather quickly and continues to climb the steps, reaching the gate and turning back to give a wave before entering the aircraft. The incident transpired after Biden was returning following his meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and leaders of the Bucharest Nine (B9). While a section of netizens was concerned about Biden's health, another took the opportunity to mock fun. "Joe Joe Joe. It happens to all of us at some point. Better up than down," tweeted one user while another added, "Let me ask you this. You have never taken a misstep going up or down stairs? I am 55 and I did this morning. I was really in deep thought and was not concentrating. Maybe that is what happened????" President Biden falls again. DC Establishment ignores his obvious physical and cognitive impairments. pic.twitter.com/xCkYxsYpF2 — Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) February 22, 2023 × When quizzed about Biden's health, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president was doing '100 per cent' fine. "It's pretty windy outside, it's very windy. I almost fell coming up the steps myself. He is doing 100% fine," she said. This is not the first instance when Biden has fallen when going through his routine. Last year, Biden nearly fell on the stage while delivering a speech for New York Governor Kathy Hochul. Similarly, in June 2022, Biden took a big tumble when he fell off the bicycle he was riding near his beach home in Delaware. WATCH | 'Give me a break man...': US President Joe Biden lashes out when asked questions about China With Biden attempting to run for the 2024 presidential elections, questions have been repeatedly asked if he is fit enough to sustain the rigors of the job. He is already the oldest president in the White House and another stint may stretch him to the limit. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

WATCH | Biden stumbles while boarding Air Force One, netizens question his 'health'

US President Joe Biden stumbled on the steps of Air Force one while boarding the presidential aircraft on Thursday. He was on Joint base Andrews and was on his way to Georgia. In Georgia, he was due to meet members of Asian-American community after a deadly shooting rampage in the state.

Biden tripped on the steps, bounced back and fell again before walking up the last steps, turning to salute and boarding the plane.

Biden recently recovered from a fractured foot, an injury he sustained while playing with his dog, Major.

In Georgia, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will meet community leaders and state lawmakers from the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community to hear concerns about the killings and discuss a rise in anti-Asian hate crimes, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Thursday.

A 21-year-old man has been charged with murdering eight people, including six women of Asian descent, at three spas in and around Atlanta on Tuesday, rattling Asian Americans already grappling with a rise in hate crimes directed at them since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Speaking to reporters as he left the White House South Lawn, Biden, who said earlier this week he thought Vladimir Putin was a killer, said he will talk with the Russian leader "at some point."

On Thursday, Putin said he and Biden should hold live online talks in coming days.

(With Reuters inputs)

US President Joe Biden stumbled on the steps of Air Force one while boarding the presidential aircraft on Thursday. He was on Joint base Andrews and was on his way to Georgia.

US President Joe Biden stumbled on the steps of Air Force one while boarding the presidential aircraft on Thursday. He was on Joint base Andrews and was on his way to Georgia. In Georgia, he was due to meet members of Asian-American community after a deadly shooting rampage in the state. Biden tripped on the steps, bounced back and fell again before walking up the last steps, turning to salute and boarding the plane. Biden recently recovered from a fractured foot, an injury he sustained while playing with his dog, Major. In Georgia, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will meet community leaders and state lawmakers from the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community to hear concerns about the killings and discuss a rise in anti-Asian hate crimes, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Thursday. A 21-year-old man has been charged with murdering eight people, including six women of Asian descent, at three spas in and around Atlanta on Tuesday, rattling Asian Americans already grappling with a rise in hate crimes directed at them since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Speaking to reporters as he left the White House South Lawn, Biden, who said earlier this week he thought Vladimir Putin was a killer, said he will talk with the Russian leader "at some point." On Thursday, Putin said he and Biden should hold live online talks in coming days. (With Reuters inputs)

Joe Biden stumbles on the steps of Air Force One

Former US president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-asks-republicans-to-stop-using-his-name-to-raise-funds-368522">Donald Trump </a>who until recently regularly travelled on Air Force One was seen boarding a "run-of-the-mill" private jet which was reportedly a Cessna Citation X plane.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/after-crying-fraud-for-months-trump-requests-mail-in-ballot-in-florida-369551/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Trump was last seen aboard Air Force One when he flew to Palm Beach in Mar-a-Lago after leaving the White House on January 20. At the farewell ceremony at the Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trumps-account-will-be-back-on-youtube-once-risk-of-violence-reduces-368092">Trump</a> had said it had been an "incredible four years" and promising to be "back in some form."

The former president was known to be proud of his private jets including the Air Force One aircraft which he had reportedly offered to North Korea's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-offered-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-ride-back-home-on-air-force-one-report-365311">Kim Jong-Un</a> during the Hanoi summit two years ago for a ride back home, an offer which was politely refused by Kim.

Twitter users did not waste much time to take a dig over the US president's apparent "downgrade".

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Is Trump's old second hand discount Mexican airline jet still airworthy or is it grounded?
— Jimmy Pete and 1327 others (@JimmyPeteJr) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimmyPeteJr/status/1370559323030441985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
"Donald Trump's taking to the friendly skies in a not-so-friendly plane for someone who was the most powerful man on Earth a couple months ago ... a jet so compact he can't stand up in it"!!! <a href="https://t.co/zggQHeU6ZS">https://t.co/zggQHeU6ZS</a> <a href="https://t.co/AchOfRwfAh">pic.twitter.com/AchOfRwfAh</a>
— Barb (@barb4Adam) <a href="https://twitter.com/barb4Adam/status/1370445294400376838?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We know for a fact that extraordinary measures by the military and secret service are taking place to protect President Trump. We've witnessed the video of fighter jets flying over Mar-a-Lago and a large U.S. Coast Guard Ship within view of Mar-a-Lago. What does it mean? Why?
— Michael DeLauzon 🇺🇸 🦅 (@MichaelDeLauzon) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelDeLauzon/status/1371111554955972609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The jet used by Trump was reportedly a 1997 model registered with the Trump organization. Trump had regularly used his private jet during the US election campaign in 2016 which was a 43-seater 757 plane.

The Cessna in which Trump travelled was apparently an eight-seater with a height of just 5 foot 7 which the US president with a 6-foot-3 frame would have to bend while inside the cabin.

Former US president Donald Trump who until recently regularly travelled on Air Force One was seen boarding a "run-of-the-mill" private jet which was reportedly a Cessna Citation X plane.

Former US president Donald Trump who until recently regularly travelled on Air Force One was seen boarding a "run-of-the-mill" private jet which was reportedly a Cessna Citation X plane. Watch: Trump was last seen aboard Air Force One when he flew to Palm Beach in Mar-a-Lago after leaving the White House on January 20. At the farewell ceremony at the Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, Trump had said it had been an "incredible four years" and promising to be "back in some form." The former president was known to be proud of his private jets including the Air Force One aircraft which he had reportedly offered to North Korea's Kim Jong-Un during the Hanoi summit two years ago for a ride back home, an offer which was politely refused by Kim. Twitter users did not waste much time to take a dig over the US president's apparent "downgrade". Is Trump's old second hand discount Mexican airline jet still airworthy or is it grounded? — Jimmy Pete and 1327 others (@JimmyPeteJr) March 13, 2021 × "Donald Trump's taking to the friendly skies in a not-so-friendly plane for someone who was the most powerful man on Earth a couple months ago ... a jet so compact he can't stand up in it"!!! https://t.co/zggQHeU6ZS pic.twitter.com/AchOfRwfAh — Barb (@barb4Adam) March 12, 2021 × We know for a fact that extraordinary measures by the military and secret service are taking place to protect President Trump. We've witnessed the video of fighter jets flying over Mar-a-Lago and a large U.S. Coast Guard Ship within view of Mar-a-Lago. What does it mean? Why? — Michael DeLauzon 🇺🇸 🦅 (@MichaelDeLauzon) March 14, 2021 × The jet used by Trump was reportedly a 1997 model registered with the Trump organization. Trump had regularly used his private jet during the US election campaign in 2016 which was a 43-seater 757 plane. The Cessna in which Trump travelled was apparently an eight-seater with a height of just 5 foot 7 which the US president with a 6-foot-3 frame would have to bend while inside the cabin.

Trump downgrade: Former US president travels in 'run-of-the-mill' plane, Twitter explodes

According to a new BBC documentary, Donald Trump offered North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a ride home on Air Force One after a summit in Hanoi two years ago.

Donald Trump offers Air Force One ride home to Kim Jong Un

President Joe Biden has served in elected office for almost four decades. He has interacted with nine presidents. He is accustomed to staff waiting on him, traveling by motorcade, and knew his way around the Oval Office and the mazelike layout of the West Wing from eight years as vice president.

“It feels like I am going home,” he said on Inauguration Day as he approached the White House along the parade route.

But not all of the accouterments of power are old hat for the country’s oldest president. When he flies on Air Force One Friday afternoon to go home to Wilmington, Delaware, for the weekend, it will be his first flight aboard the presidential jet in more than two decades, according to more than a half-dozen administration officials and former Biden aides.

As President Barack Obama’s vice president, Biden was prohibited from flying on the Boeing VC-25 that is known as Air Force One. For security reasons, the vice president and the president never fly together. Air Force Two, a Boeing 757, is a smaller, much more cramped and much more modest plane.

Despite his decades in public office, the only trip aboard Air Force One that anyone in the White House or Biden’s circle can recall him taking was in the summer of 2000. Back then, Biden traveled to Colombia as part of a delegation with President Bill Clinton, helping unveil an emergency aid program to fight the narcotics trade and prop up the country’s democracy.

That means that Jill Biden, the first lady, who accompanied Obama to a community college in Michigan aboard Air Force One in 2015, has been on board more recently than her husband. (At the time, she said she spent her time on the flight grading papers.)

Biden rode on Air Force One on Friday afternoon, but not the one that has so delighted his predecessors. He jogged up the stairs of the Boeing 757-200, which is a smaller, narrow-body jet used for smaller airports like the one Biden was bound for in Wilmington.

“It’s a great plane,” Biden told reporters traveling with him. “It’s the same plane that we had as vice president, only it’s much nicer.”

“When that 747 lands, it’s a sight to behold,” said John Podesta, a former White House chief of staff to Clinton. “When the president walks down those steps, you feel the power of that. He will feel the power of that. It’s a little different from the 757.”

Even President Donald Trump, who liked to brag about his own Trump-branded plane, was impressed.

“This is a very special plane,” he told reporters after taking them to his front cabin for a rare peek en route to Philadelphia. He had been in office for only six days when he showed off a navy blue Air Force One jacket. His press secretary at the time, Sean Spicer, described him as “in awe of the splendor of this plane.”

In 2018, Trump bragged that the plane, equipped to act as a mobile White House, had “about 20 televisions.” Still, he had plans for a makeover for the plane, plans that never came to fruition and that the Biden administration has made clear could not be lower on its list of priorities.

Obama appeared equally captivated by his new ride when he took his first flight in the third week of his presidency, traveling a short distance to Williamsburg, Virginia, to a retreat for House Democrats.

“What do you think of this spiffy ride here? It’s not bad,” Obama said to reporters sitting in the back of the plane. Like Trump, he also made a show of his crew jacket, which ha

Clinton took his first flight 22 days after taking office in 1993. He flew to Detroit for a nationally broadcast town hall event to lay the groundwork for the economic policies he was set to unveil, while his staff made jokes about how relieved he was to give up his rickety campaign plane, nicknamed “Air Elvis.”

President George W. Bush’s first trip aboard Air Force One after moving into the White House came less than a month into his presidency, when he visited military families and troops at Fort Stewart, in Georgia, part of a slate of trips intended to promote his national security policies.

White House officials would not say when Biden would take his first domestic trip but said that a typical presidential travel schedule was on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. “Certainly, his preference would be to get on a plane and fly around the country, but that’s not the step we’re planning currently,” the White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, said during a briefing last month.

Other senior administration officials insisted that Biden was not grounded and would travel domestically soon, pointing to the fact that he safely made two trips to Georgia during the transition to campaign for Democratic Senate candidates.

Presidential travel is expensive and time-consuming, but it is also essential to the job, former White House officials said.

“It’s critical for people to feel the presence and be aware of the fact that the president took the time to come to the place where they are,” Podesta said. “One of the things that underlies the deep divisions in the country is people feeling like, ‘You forgot about me.’ Showing up changes that dynamic.”

Podesta said it would be critical for Biden to travel after addressing a joint session of Congress this month, even if it meant taking on some health risks. “He’s going to lay down a lot of ideas of what needs to get built, and he’s got to go to some places where those things will get built,” he said.

But given the pandemic and the politically fragile moment the country is in, Michael Beschloss, the presidential historian, said that staying in Washington more often may work better for Biden.

“After John Kennedy’s assassination, the country was so agitated that the new president, Lyndon Johnson, made a commitment not to travel abroad for a period of time,” he said. “Although for different reasons, Biden’s staying close to the White House has reminded me of that. I believe that right now, seeing Biden in the State Dining Room, announcing how he’s dealing with one supreme problem after another, is more reassuring than it would be to see him on the road, in the middle of a pandemic, trying to find a crowd to speak to.”

Biden, however, may not agree once he has been on the plane.

President Joe Biden has served in elected office for almost four decades. He has interacted with nine presidents. He is accustomed to staff waiting on him, traveling by motorcade, and knew his way around the Oval Office and the mazelike layout of the West Wing from eight years as vice president.

President Joe Biden has served in elected office for almost four decades. He has interacted with nine presidents. He is accustomed to staff waiting on him, traveling by motorcade, and knew his way around the Oval Office and the mazelike layout of the West Wing from eight years as vice president. “It feels like I am going home,” he said on Inauguration Day as he approached the White House along the parade route. But not all of the accouterments of power are old hat for the country’s oldest president. When he flies on Air Force One Friday afternoon to go home to Wilmington, Delaware, for the weekend, it will be his first flight aboard the presidential jet in more than two decades, according to more than a half-dozen administration officials and former Biden aides. As President Barack Obama’s vice president, Biden was prohibited from flying on the Boeing VC-25 that is known as Air Force One. For security reasons, the vice president and the president never fly together. Air Force Two, a Boeing 757, is a smaller, much more cramped and much more modest plane. Despite his decades in public office, the only trip aboard Air Force One that anyone in the White House or Biden’s circle can recall him taking was in the summer of 2000. Back then, Biden traveled to Colombia as part of a delegation with President Bill Clinton, helping unveil an emergency aid program to fight the narcotics trade and prop up the country’s democracy. That means that Jill Biden, the first lady, who accompanied Obama to a community college in Michigan aboard Air Force One in 2015, has been on board more recently than her husband. (At the time, she said she spent her time on the flight grading papers.) Biden rode on Air Force One on Friday afternoon, but not the one that has so delighted his predecessors. He jogged up the stairs of the Boeing 757-200, which is a smaller, narrow-body jet used for smaller airports like the one Biden was bound for in Wilmington. “It’s a great plane,” Biden told reporters traveling with him. “It’s the same plane that we had as vice president, only it’s much nicer.” “When that 747 lands, it’s a sight to behold,” said John Podesta, a former White House chief of staff to Clinton. “When the president walks down those steps, you feel the power of that. He will feel the power of that. It’s a little different from the 757.” Even President Donald Trump, who liked to brag about his own Trump-branded plane, was impressed. “This is a very special plane,” he told reporters after taking them to his front cabin for a rare peek en route to Philadelphia. He had been in office for only six days when he showed off a navy blue Air Force One jacket. His press secretary at the time, Sean Spicer, described him as “in awe of the splendor of this plane.” In 2018, Trump bragged that the plane, equipped to act as a mobile White House, had “about 20 televisions.” Still, he had plans for a makeover for the plane, plans that never came to fruition and that the Biden administration has made clear could not be lower on its list of priorities. Obama appeared equally captivated by his new ride when he took his first flight in the third week of his presidency, traveling a short distance to Williamsburg, Virginia, to a retreat for House Democrats. “What do you think of this spiffy ride here? It’s not bad,” Obama said to reporters sitting in the back of the plane. Like Trump, he also made a show of his crew jacket, which ha Clinton took his first flight 22 days after taking office in 1993. He flew to Detroit for a nationally broadcast town hall event to lay the groundwork for the economic policies he was set to unveil, while his staff made jokes about how relieved he was to give up his rickety campaign plane, nicknamed “Air Elvis.” President George W. Bush’s first trip aboard Air Force One after moving into the White House came less than a month into his presidency, when he visited military families and troops at Fort Stewart, in Georgia, part of a slate of trips intended to promote his national security policies. White House officials would not say when Biden would take his first domestic trip but said that a typical presidential travel schedule was on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. “Certainly, his preference would be to get on a plane and fly around the country, but that’s not the step we’re planning currently,” the White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, said during a briefing last month. Other senior administration officials insisted that Biden was not grounded and would travel domestically soon, pointing to the fact that he safely made two trips to Georgia during the transition to campaign for Democratic Senate candidates. Presidential travel is expensive and time-consuming, but it is also essential to the job, former White House officials said. “It’s critical for people to feel the presence and be aware of the fact that the president took the time to come to the place where they are,” Podesta said. “One of the things that underlies the deep divisions in the country is people feeling like, ‘You forgot about me.’ Showing up changes that dynamic.” Podesta said it would be critical for Biden to travel after addressing a joint session of Congress this month, even if it meant taking on some health risks. “He’s going to lay down a lot of ideas of what needs to get built, and he’s got to go to some places where those things will get built,” he said. But given the pandemic and the politically fragile moment the country is in, Michael Beschloss, the presidential historian, said that staying in Washington more often may work better for Biden. “After John Kennedy’s assassination, the country was so agitated that the new president, Lyndon Johnson, made a commitment not to travel abroad for a period of time,” he said. “Although for different reasons, Biden’s staying close to the White House has reminded me of that. I believe that right now, seeing Biden in the State Dining Room, announcing how he’s dealing with one supreme problem after another, is more reassuring than it would be to see him on the road, in the middle of a pandemic, trying to find a crowd to speak to.” Biden, however, may not agree once he has been on the plane.

After years in government, Biden has a new perk: Air Force One

A day before the recently-elected US President Joe Biden is scheduled to take his first flight aboard the Air Force One, an intruder gained access to the Joint Base Andrews where the aircraft is parked.

Biden is scheduled to depart from the Joint Base Andrews to his home state, Delaware, on Friday, which will be his first flight aboard the Air Force One as the President of the US.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/man-falls-asleep-wakes-up-to-find-out-airpod-is-inside-his-body-361800" hreflang="en">Man falls asleep, wakes up to find out AirPod is inside his body</a>

However, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) confirmed that an intruder gained access to the base on Thursday.

"An unauthorized individual gained access to Joint Base Andrews. The incident is under investigation," a spokesperson said in a statement. "The Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) is lead on this investigation. Any requests for information related to the incident can be referred to OSI."

It is not yet, however, clear whether the intruder messed up any aircraft parked at the facility or not.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-53-years-wallet-lost-in-antarctica-reaches-91-year-old-owner-361761" hreflang="en">After 53 years, wallet lost in Antarctica reaches 91-year-old owner</a>

The Joint Base Andrews also houses the 89th Airlift Wing which is used to escort the President, Vice President, Cabinet members and other senior elected members of the US while they are on their official air travel.

While the extent of damage is not yet clear, no change was announced in Biden's plans. It is also not clear if the intruder has been arrested or not.

The security of the President and other elected members has been a concerning issue since the Capitol riots that took place on January 06 by Trump supporters.

A day before the recently-elected US President Joe Biden is scheduled to take his first flight aboard the Air Force One, an intruder gained access to the Joint Base Andrews where the aircraft is parked.

A day before the recently-elected US President Joe Biden is scheduled to take his first flight aboard the Air Force One, an intruder gained access to the Joint Base Andrews where the aircraft is parked. Biden is scheduled to depart from the Joint Base Andrews to his home state, Delaware, on Friday, which will be his first flight aboard the Air Force One as the President of the US. Also read| Man falls asleep, wakes up to find out AirPod is inside his body However, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) confirmed that an intruder gained access to the base on Thursday. "An unauthorized individual gained access to Joint Base Andrews. The incident is under investigation," a spokesperson said in a statement. "The Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) is lead on this investigation. Any requests for information related to the incident can be referred to OSI." It is not yet, however, clear whether the intruder messed up any aircraft parked at the facility or not. Also read| After 53 years, wallet lost in Antarctica reaches 91-year-old owner The Joint Base Andrews also houses the 89th Airlift Wing which is used to escort the President, Vice President, Cabinet members and other senior elected members of the US while they are on their official air travel. While the extent of damage is not yet clear, no change was announced in Biden's plans. It is also not clear if the intruder has been arrested or not. The security of the President and other elected members has been a concerning issue since the Capitol riots that took place on January 06 by Trump supporters.

Intruder gains access to Air Force One parking base, before Biden's first flight

As president-elect Joe Biden gets set to take over the US presidency, outgoing President Donald <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/melania-trump-faces-criticism-for-breaking-tradition-on-giving-official-walkthrough-to-next-first-lady-357589">Trump's</a> Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach has been witnessing trucks arriving since Monday amid speculation that the US president may be moving in south Florida.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-to-leave-white-house-hours-before-bidens-inauguration-357547/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Trump has said he wouldn't be attending Biden's inauguration becoming the first US president in 152 years not to join his successor at the inauguration ceremony.

Reports said security has been tightened around Trump's Mar-a-Lago complex with road closure to come into effect from Tuesday at 8pm.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/questions-about-trumps-fate-new-dynamics-in-washington-remain-as-inauguration-week-begins-357569">Trump</a> hasn't yet reveled his plans of taking up a residence post-January 20 as Biden take over the White House. The Mar-a-Lago golf club in Florida is Trump's official residence.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
ROAD CLOSURES AROUND MARALAGO TO BEGIN JANUARY 19: The roadway around Maralago will be closed down to traffic starting Tuesday, January 19 at 8:00PM. Traffic will be restricted in the north and south directions on S Ocean Blvd. Please use caution… <a href="https://t.co/Za9xGSpOSB">https://t.co/Za9xGSpOSB</a>
— Town of Palm Beach (@townpalmbeach) <a href="https://twitter.com/townpalmbeach/status/1351257559525588992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Reports claim Trump is set to leave Washington early on Wednesday before<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-will-not-lift-travel-bans-says-bidens-team-after-trumps-order-357591"> Biden's</a> inauguration as all eyes will be on the White House as Trump takes the helicopter for the last time.

Trump has still not congratulated Biden or invited him for the traditional tea visit in the Oval Office which has been a US tradition as part of the handover.

Reports say Marine One will take Trump from the White House to Joint Base Andrews to catch Air Force One to head to Mar-a-Lago golf club residence.

Trump will therefore enjoy full benefit of presidential travel privileges up to the last minute. After Biden takes over around noon on January 20, Air Force One privileges will no longer be part of Trump's benefit.

With <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/20-indian-americans-who-are-chosen-by-biden-administration-to-rebuild-america-357567">Biden's</a> inauguration ceremony just hours away, US National Guard troops have poured into Washington as the United States prepares to welcome Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to head the nation.

According to reports, Trump is organizing a military sendoff for himself at Andrews with a crowd of invitees.

As president-elect Joe Biden gets set to take over the US presidency, outgoing President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach has been witnessing trucks arriving since Monday amid speculation that the US president may be moving in south Florida.

As president-elect Joe Biden gets set to take over the US presidency, outgoing President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach has been witnessing trucks arriving since Monday amid speculation that the US president may be moving in south Florida. Watch: Trump has said he wouldn't be attending Biden's inauguration becoming the first US president in 152 years not to join his successor at the inauguration ceremony. Reports said security has been tightened around Trump's Mar-a-Lago complex with road closure to come into effect from Tuesday at 8pm. Trump hasn't yet reveled his plans of taking up a residence post-January 20 as Biden take over the White House. The Mar-a-Lago golf club in Florida is Trump's official residence. ROAD CLOSURES AROUND MARALAGO TO BEGIN JANUARY 19: The roadway around Maralago will be closed down to traffic starting Tuesday, January 19 at 8:00PM. Traffic will be restricted in the north and south directions on S Ocean Blvd. Please use caution… https://t.co/Za9xGSpOSB — Town of Palm Beach (@townpalmbeach) January 18, 2021 × Reports claim Trump is set to leave Washington early on Wednesday before Biden's inauguration as all eyes will be on the White House as Trump takes the helicopter for the last time. Trump has still not congratulated Biden or invited him for the traditional tea visit in the Oval Office which has been a US tradition as part of the handover. Reports say Marine One will take Trump from the White House to Joint Base Andrews to catch Air Force One to head to Mar-a-Lago golf club residence. Trump will therefore enjoy full benefit of presidential travel privileges up to the last minute. After Biden takes over around noon on January 20, Air Force One privileges will no longer be part of Trump's benefit. With Biden's inauguration ceremony just hours away, US National Guard troops have poured into Washington as the United States prepares to welcome Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to head the nation. According to reports, Trump is organizing a military sendoff for himself at Andrews with a crowd of invitees.

Exit plan: Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida takes centerstage

The US President Donald&nbsp;Trump, on Monday, announced his plans to pardon some&nbsp;"very, very important" person on Tuesday. The information was passed on by Trump to the local reporters onboard Air Force One.

"Doing a pardon tomorrow on someone who is very, very important," he said. He declined to give the name, though.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/edward-snowden-asks-to-return-to-us-trump-to-take-a-look-at-pardoning-320867">Also read:&nbsp;Edward Snowden asks to return to US; Trump to 'take a look' at pardoning</a>

The news came after he announced few days ago&nbsp;in a golf course press briefing that he will think about pardoning Snowden. However, after making the announcement, Trump was quick to add that the "very, very important" person will not be Snowden.

Edward Snowden, last week, expressed his desire to return to the US from Russia — where he has taken an exile — if he is promised a fair trial. He was being sought by intelligence agencies after, in 2013, in passed secret files to the news organisation accusing the National Security Agency of conducting secret&nbsp;surveillance operations on the American citizens.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-appeals-court-agrees-to-rehear-ex-trumps-aide-michael-flynns-case-317129">Also read:&nbsp;US appeals court agrees to rehear ex-Trump's aide Michael Flynn's case</a>

Trump also clarified that this person being pardoned will not be Michael Flynn — Trump's former National Security Advisor who had&nbsp;plead guilty for lying during an FBI investigation into the 2016 presidential campaign.

Last month, Trump had pardoned his advisor and longtime friend <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-commutes-longtime-adviser-roger-stones-prison-sentence-312432">Roger Stone</a>, who was convicted of lying under oath to lawmakers about the Russian interference in the 2016 US election.

The US President Donald Trump, on Monday, announced his plans to pardon some "very, very important" person on Tuesday. The information was passed on by Trump to the local reporters onboard Air Force One.

The US President Donald Trump, on Monday, announced his plans to pardon some "very, very important" person on Tuesday. The information was passed on by Trump to the local reporters onboard Air Force One. "Doing a pardon tomorrow on someone who is very, very important," he said. He declined to give the name, though. Also read: Edward Snowden asks to return to US; Trump to 'take a look' at pardoning The news came after he announced few days ago in a golf course press briefing that he will think about pardoning Snowden. However, after making the announcement, Trump was quick to add that the "very, very important" person will not be Snowden. Edward Snowden, last week, expressed his desire to return to the US from Russia — where he has taken an exile — if he is promised a fair trial. He was being sought by intelligence agencies after, in 2013, in passed secret files to the news organisation accusing the National Security Agency of conducting secret surveillance operations on the American citizens. Also read: US appeals court agrees to rehear ex-Trump's aide Michael Flynn's case Trump also clarified that this person being pardoned will not be Michael Flynn — Trump's former National Security Advisor who had plead guilty for lying during an FBI investigation into the 2016 presidential campaign. Last month, Trump had pardoned his advisor and longtime friend Roger Stone, who was convicted of lying under oath to lawmakers about the Russian interference in the 2016 US election.

Trump to pardon someone 'very, very important' on Tuesday

Inside Air Force One - America's most famous plane used by US Presidents

The United States intends to apply punitive <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-mulling-over-declaring-new-emergency-for-imposing-tariffs-on-mexico-225116">tariffs on imports from Mexico</a> on Monday despite progress in talks on stemming migration, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Friday.

"Our position hasn't changed," Sanders told reporters heading on Air Force One to Shannon, Ireland, as President Donald Trump wrapped up a week-long trip to Europe.

"They've made a lot of progress," she said. "The meetings have gone well, but as of now we're still on track for tariffs on Monday."

Sanders' comments came after two days of crunch talks in Washington by top officials from both countries to head off the tariffs, which could deal a stunning blow to the Mexican economy.

The Trump administration has demanded Mexico take tough action to halt the flow of hundreds of thousands of Central American migrants towards the United States, insisting it down its border with Guatemala and agree to let asylum seekers register their claims inside Mexico.

Last week Trump announced that starting from Monday, June 10, a five per cent tariff would be applied to all goods from export-dependent Mexico, rising by five percentage points each month to a high of 25 per cent, until US demands on migrant controls were satisfied.

On Thursday Mexico scrambled to appease Washington, agreeing to deploy 6,000 National Guard troops to its southern border, blocking a new migrant caravan and freezing the bank accounts of suspected human traffickers.

But it appeared there was no agreement between Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard and US negotiators led by Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the asylum question.

"We have been working this afternoon, we still do not have an agreement," Ebrard said Thursday as talks wrapped for the day.&nbsp;

"Tomorrow we have another session in the morning and we will continue forward."

The United States intends to apply punitive tariffs on imports from Mexico on Monday despite progress in talks on stemming migration, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Friday.

The United States intends to apply punitive tariffs on imports from Mexico on Monday despite progress in talks on stemming migration, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Friday. "Our position hasn't changed," Sanders told reporters heading on Air Force One to Shannon, Ireland, as President Donald Trump wrapped up a week-long trip to Europe. "They've made a lot of progress," she said. "The meetings have gone well, but as of now we're still on track for tariffs on Monday." Sanders' comments came after two days of crunch talks in Washington by top officials from both countries to head off the tariffs, which could deal a stunning blow to the Mexican economy. The Trump administration has demanded Mexico take tough action to halt the flow of hundreds of thousands of Central American migrants towards the United States, insisting it down its border with Guatemala and agree to let asylum seekers register their claims inside Mexico. Last week Trump announced that starting from Monday, June 10, a five per cent tariff would be applied to all goods from export-dependent Mexico, rising by five percentage points each month to a high of 25 per cent, until US demands on migrant controls were satisfied. On Thursday Mexico scrambled to appease Washington, agreeing to deploy 6,000 National Guard troops to its southern border, blocking a new migrant caravan and freezing the bank accounts of suspected human traffickers. But it appeared there was no agreement between Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard and US negotiators led by Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the asylum question. "We have been working this afternoon, we still do not have an agreement," Ebrard said Thursday as talks wrapped for the day. "Tomorrow we have another session in the morning and we will continue forward."

Mexico tariffs on track to take effect Monday: White House

US President Donald Trump arrived in Japan Saturday for a four-day trip likely to be dominated by warm words and friendly images, but relatively light on substantive progress over trade.

Air Force One touched down in Japan just before 5pm local time (0800 GMT) on a sunny Tokyo afternoon.

Japanese and US officials hail as "unprecedented" the relationship between Trump and his "golf buddy", Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and the pair will again find time for a round to cement their diplomatic bromance.

The official centrepiece is Trump's meeting on Monday with Japan's new Emperor Naruhito, who only ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne at the beginning of the month following his father's historic abdication for health reasons.

"With all the countries of the world, I'm the guest of honour at the biggest event that they've had in over 200 years," said Trump before his departure.

But the visual highlight is more likely to be Trump's visit on Sunday to the final day of the summer "basho" or sumo tournament where he is expected to present the cup to the winner.&nbsp;

Trump's appearance at the hallowed sumo hall has presented a logistical, security and protocol nightmare, ranging from where he sits to how he should be protected if the crowd start throwing pillows -- as tradition dictates when a Grand Champion (yokozuna) falls.

The leaders will play golf before going to the sumo and then repair with their wives to a restaurant in Tokyo's Roppongi entertainment district, where the menu features skewers of prime sirloin beef at 5,184 yen ($47) for two.

Abe has just recently returned from Washington and Trump himself will be returning to Japan in just over a month for the Group of 20 leaders' summit in the western city of Osaka.

"Three visits in both directions in a short amount of time is really emblematic of just how close the relationship is," said a senior Trump administration official, who asked not to be identified.&nbsp;

A Japanese diplomat said the frequency of contact "demonstrates the unprecedented level of close personal relations between the Japanese and US leaders".

'Smart move'

The formal diplomatic part of the trip is limited to a short bilateral meeting and a working lunch on Monday, after which the two leaders will brief the media.

They are also poised to meet families of people abducted by North Korea during the Cold War era to train Pyongyang's spies, an emotive issue in Japan that Abe has pressed Trump to raise in talks with the North's leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump will also address troops at a US base in Japan, highlighting the military alliance between the two allies at a time when tensions are running higher with North Korea after the failure of the Hanoi summit in February.

Hours before Trump landed, hawkish National Security Advisory John Bolton told local media there was "no doubt" Pyongyang's recent missile tests had violated UN Security Council resolutions but insisted Washington is still ready to resume talks.

But analysts expect little progress on the main issue that divides Japan and the US: trade.

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is expected to hold talks with his Japanese counterpart on the sidelines of the visit but with Abe facing upper house elections in the coming months and Trump battling China, both are likely to avoid concessions.

Some observers suspect Abe is rolling out the red carpet to present Japan as the most favourable of the countries currently engaged in trade disputes with Washington.

"Japan's strategy is to proceed with negotiations in a cool-headed manner," in contrast to the aggressive tit-for-tat tariff retaliations between the US and China, Shujiro Urata, a trade expert and professor at Tokyo's Waseda University, told AFP.

However, the trip is more likely to be about smiles and reaffirmations of a close alliance -- something Trump will doubtless welcome amid pre-2020 election turmoil at home and a bellicose Iran and China abroad.

"It's a smart move that shows he knows something about foreign policy and that he actually has a friend," said Robert Guttman, who lectures on foreign policy at Johns Hopkins University.

US President Donald Trump arrived in Japan Saturday for a four-day trip likely to be dominated by warm words and friendly images, but relatively light on substantive progress over trade.

US President Donald Trump arrived in Japan Saturday for a four-day trip likely to be dominated by warm words and friendly images, but relatively light on substantive progress over trade. Air Force One touched down in Japan just before 5pm local time (0800 GMT) on a sunny Tokyo afternoon. Japanese and US officials hail as "unprecedented" the relationship between Trump and his "golf buddy", Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and the pair will again find time for a round to cement their diplomatic bromance. The official centrepiece is Trump's meeting on Monday with Japan's new Emperor Naruhito, who only ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne at the beginning of the month following his father's historic abdication for health reasons. "With all the countries of the world, I'm the guest of honour at the biggest event that they've had in over 200 years," said Trump before his departure. But the visual highlight is more likely to be Trump's visit on Sunday to the final day of the summer "basho" or sumo tournament where he is expected to present the cup to the winner. Trump's appearance at the hallowed sumo hall has presented a logistical, security and protocol nightmare, ranging from where he sits to how he should be protected if the crowd start throwing pillows -- as tradition dictates when a Grand Champion (yokozuna) falls. The leaders will play golf before going to the sumo and then repair with their wives to a restaurant in Tokyo's Roppongi entertainment district, where the menu features skewers of prime sirloin beef at 5,184 yen ($47) for two. Abe has just recently returned from Washington and Trump himself will be returning to Japan in just over a month for the Group of 20 leaders' summit in the western city of Osaka. "Three visits in both directions in a short amount of time is really emblematic of just how close the relationship is," said a senior Trump administration official, who asked not to be identified. A Japanese diplomat said the frequency of contact "demonstrates the unprecedented level of close personal relations between the Japanese and US leaders". 'Smart move' The formal diplomatic part of the trip is limited to a short bilateral meeting and a working lunch on Monday, after which the two leaders will brief the media. They are also poised to meet families of people abducted by North Korea during the Cold War era to train Pyongyang's spies, an emotive issue in Japan that Abe has pressed Trump to raise in talks with the North's leader Kim Jong Un. Trump will also address troops at a US base in Japan, highlighting the military alliance between the two allies at a time when tensions are running higher with North Korea after the failure of the Hanoi summit in February. Hours before Trump landed, hawkish National Security Advisory John Bolton told local media there was "no doubt" Pyongyang's recent missile tests had violated UN Security Council resolutions but insisted Washington is still ready to resume talks. But analysts expect little progress on the main issue that divides Japan and the US: trade. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is expected to hold talks with his Japanese counterpart on the sidelines of the visit but with Abe facing upper house elections in the coming months and Trump battling China, both are likely to avoid concessions. Some observers suspect Abe is rolling out the red carpet to present Japan as the most favourable of the countries currently engaged in trade disputes with Washington. "Japan's strategy is to proceed with negotiations in a cool-headed manner," in contrast to the aggressive tit-for-tat tariff retaliations between the US and China, Shujiro Urata, a trade expert and professor at Tokyo's Waseda University, told AFP. However, the trip is more likely to be about smiles and reaffirmations of a close alliance -- something Trump will doubtless welcome amid pre-2020 election turmoil at home and a bellicose Iran and China abroad. "It's a smart move that shows he knows something about foreign policy and that he actually has a friend," said Robert Guttman, who lectures on foreign policy at Johns Hopkins University.

Trump arrives for sumo summit with Abe

A British aviation enthusiast was credited Friday with breaking the news of US President Donald Trump's secret visit to Iraq over Christmas after snapping photos of his plane &nbsp;over northern England.

Alan Meloy, a semi-retired information technology worker from Yorkshire, took the pictures of Air Force One from outside his home with a camera he also uses for bird watching.

He shared the images on his Flickr account, correctly identifying the plane as a VC-25 -- one of two highly customised Boeing 747 jumbo jets used as Air Force One.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/79734127@N07/44653678440/in/photostream/" title="SP-KPG SAAB SF340 Sprint Air - taken from Chapeltown South Yorks Boxing Day 2018 4743"><img alt="SP-KPG SAAB SF340 Sprint Air - taken from Chapeltown South Yorks Boxing Day 2018 4743" height="900" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4819/44653678440_da9fc2eccf_h.jpg" width="1600" /></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Other users noted the location and made the connection with a mysterious US military flight winging across Europe, speculating that it could be on its way to the Middle East.

"It's one of those weird moments when you're right place and right time," Meloy, who lives in the suburbs of the industrial city of Sheffield, told The Guardian newspaper.

"If you want to do covert work use a covert plane," he said.

On his Flickr account, Meloy said: "The internet had worked it out several hours before the White House formally confirmed the visit was taking place".

Rumours about the trip spread quickly on social media long before it was reported by media outlets that were respecting a White House embargo.

During the trip, Trump's first to a combat zone, the US president said the security precautions were unlike anything he had previously experienced.

"If you would have seen what we had to go through in the darkened plane with all windows closed, with no light anywhere -- pitch black," he said.

Meloy added: "Fortunately for us Yorkshire inhabitants he was travelling with the curtains shut and lights out so won't have noticed us looking up at him".

Alan Meloy, a semi-retired information technology worker from Yorkshire, took the pictures of Air Force One from outside his home with a camera he also uses for bird watching.

A British aviation enthusiast was credited Friday with breaking the news of US President Donald Trump's secret visit to Iraq over Christmas after snapping photos of his plane over northern England. Alan Meloy, a semi-retired information technology worker from Yorkshire, took the pictures of Air Force One from outside his home with a camera he also uses for bird watching. He shared the images on his Flickr account, correctly identifying the plane as a VC-25 -- one of two highly customised Boeing 747 jumbo jets used as Air Force One. × Other users noted the location and made the connection with a mysterious US military flight winging across Europe, speculating that it could be on its way to the Middle East. "It's one of those weird moments when you're right place and right time," Meloy, who lives in the suburbs of the industrial city of Sheffield, told The Guardian newspaper. "If you want to do covert work use a covert plane," he said. On his Flickr account, Meloy said: "The internet had worked it out several hours before the White House formally confirmed the visit was taking place". Rumours about the trip spread quickly on social media long before it was reported by media outlets that were respecting a White House embargo. During the trip, Trump's first to a combat zone, the US president said the security precautions were unlike anything he had previously experienced. "If you would have seen what we had to go through in the darkened plane with all windows closed, with no light anywhere -- pitch black," he said. Meloy added: "Fortunately for us Yorkshire inhabitants he was travelling with the curtains shut and lights out so won't have noticed us looking up at him".

Aviation enthusiast, Alan Meloy credited with breaking news of Trump's Iraq visit

France warned Sunday that "fits of anger" could not dictate international cooperation after US President Donald Trump abruptly rejected a joint statement agreed following a bad-tempered G7 summit in Canada.

"International cooperation cannot be dictated by fits of anger and throwaway remarks," President Emmanuel Macron's office said in a statement.

"We spend two days working out a (joint) statement and commitments. We are sticking to them and whoever reneges on them is showing incoherence and inconsistency."

"Let's be serious and worthy of our people. We make commitments and keep them," the presidency said, adding that "France and Europe maintain their support for this (G7) statement."

Minutes after the publication of a joint communique that was approved by Trump and other Group of Seven leaders at a summit in the city of Quebec, the US leader announced on Twitter that he was retracting his support.

In a flurry of tweets from Air Force One, en route to Singapore for a historic nuclear summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, Trump accused the summit host, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of being "very dishonest".

He was reacting to Trudeau's declaration that Canadians would "not be pushed around" and would hit back at punishing US tariffs on metal imports with "equivalent tariffs".

"Based on Justin's false statements at his news conference, and the fact that Canada is charging massive Tariffs to our US farmers, workers and companies, I have instructed our US Reps not to endorse the Communique as we look at Tariffs on automobiles flooding the US Market!" Trump tweeted.

"PM Justin Trudeau of Canada acted so meek and mild during our @G7 meetings only to give a news conference after I left saying that ... he 'will not be pushed around.' Very dishonest & weak."

'We spend two days working out a (joint) statement and commitments. We are sticking to them and whoever reneges on them is showing incoherence and inconsistency', said Macron

France warned Sunday that "fits of anger" could not dictate international cooperation after US President Donald Trump abruptly rejected a joint statement agreed following a bad-tempered G7 summit in Canada. "International cooperation cannot be dictated by fits of anger and throwaway remarks," President Emmanuel Macron's office said in a statement. "We spend two days working out a (joint) statement and commitments. We are sticking to them and whoever reneges on them is showing incoherence and inconsistency." "Let's be serious and worthy of our people. We make commitments and keep them," the presidency said, adding that "France and Europe maintain their support for this (G7) statement." Minutes after the publication of a joint communique that was approved by Trump and other Group of Seven leaders at a summit in the city of Quebec, the US leader announced on Twitter that he was retracting his support. In a flurry of tweets from Air Force One, en route to Singapore for a historic nuclear summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, Trump accused the summit host, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of being "very dishonest". He was reacting to Trudeau's declaration that Canadians would "not be pushed around" and would hit back at punishing US tariffs on metal imports with "equivalent tariffs". "Based on Justin's false statements at his news conference, and the fact that Canada is charging massive Tariffs to our US farmers, workers and companies, I have instructed our US Reps not to endorse the Communique as we look at Tariffs on automobiles flooding the US Market!" Trump tweeted. "PM Justin Trudeau of Canada acted so meek and mild during our @G7 meetings only to give a news conference after I left saying that ... he 'will not be pushed around.' Very dishonest & weak."

France on G7: 'Fits of anger' cannot dictate international cooperation

The lawyer for adult film star Stormy Daniels, who claims to have had an affair with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, filed court papers Sunday demanding that Trump submit to questions about the $130,000 hush money paid just before the 2016 presidential election.

The dispute centers on whether the agreement is valid and if the matter should be settled in open court or private arbitration.

Trump asserted to the press on Air Force One on Thursday that he did not know about the payment to keep the actress, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, quiet.

The White House has denied that Trump ever had sex with Clifford.

The actress said in a recent CBS "60 Minutes" interview that they had sex one time and she later felt threatened to sign the agreement.

Trump's lawyers are seeking $20 million in damages for Clifford's violations of the agreement.

Trump's attorney, Michael Cohen, who has said that he paid the $130,000 settlement money from his own pocket through a personal home equity loan, wants the dispute settled in private arbitration, as prescribed by the agreement.

Clifford's attorney, Michael Avenatti, said it should be settled in open court.

"If Mr. Trump did not supply the funds or did not even know about the funds, this would be another relevant fact demonstrating that he never consented to the settlement agreement," he said in the filing.

Spokesmen for Trump and Clifford were not immediately available for commen

The dispute centers on whether the agreement is valid and if the matter should be settled in open court or private arbitration

The lawyer for adult film star Stormy Daniels, who claims to have had an affair with US President Donald Trump, filed court papers Sunday demanding that Trump submit to questions about the $130,000 hush money paid just before the 2016 presidential election. The dispute centers on whether the agreement is valid and if the matter should be settled in open court or private arbitration. Trump asserted to the press on Air Force One on Thursday that he did not know about the payment to keep the actress, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, quiet. The White House has denied that Trump ever had sex with Clifford. The actress said in a recent CBS "60 Minutes" interview that they had sex one time and she later felt threatened to sign the agreement. Trump's lawyers are seeking $20 million in damages for Clifford's violations of the agreement. Trump's attorney, Michael Cohen, who has said that he paid the $130,000 settlement money from his own pocket through a personal home equity loan, wants the dispute settled in private arbitration, as prescribed by the agreement. Clifford's attorney, Michael Avenatti, said it should be settled in open court. "If Mr. Trump did not supply the funds or did not even know about the funds, this would be another relevant fact demonstrating that he never consented to the settlement agreement," he said in the filing. Spokesmen for Trump and Clifford were not immediately available for commen

Stormy Daniels' attorney wants Trump questioned about 'hush money'

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, in his first public remarks about an intimate relationship he has been accused of having with an adult film star, said on Thursday he did not know about a $130,000 payment made by his lawyer to actress Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet.

The White House has denied that Trump had sex with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. Daniels has said she and Trump had sex once in 2006.

Asked why his lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid the money if the allegations were untrue, Trump told reporters on Air Force One, "You'll have to ask Michael Cohen. Michael's my attorney."

Asked if he knew about the payment to Daniels, Trump said "No."

Asked if he knew where the money came from to pay Daniels, Trump told reporters, "No, I don’t know."

Cohen has said he paid Daniels out of his own pocket.

Last month, Daniels sued Cohen to be released from the non-disclosure agreement she signed in October 2016 in exchange for the $130,000 payment from him.

Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, said Trump's admission that he did not know about the agreement bolstered his client's case to be released from the deal.

"Good (actually GREAT) things come to those who wait!!! The strength of our case just went up exponentially. You can't have an agreement when one party claims to know nothing about it," Avenatti said on Twitter.

Avenatti has said he wants to question Trump and Cohen about the agreement, which was signed the month before Trump was elected president.

"We very much look forward to testing the truthfulness of Mr. Trump's feigned lack of knowledge concerning the $130k payment as stated on Air Force One," Avenatti tweeted. "As history teaches us, it is one thing to deceive the press and quite another to do so under oath."

Last week, a federal judge said Avenatti's request to depose Trump and Cohen was premature.

Cohen wants to force Daniels to use arbitration, as opposed to open court, to settle the dispute over the agreement.

In an interview that aired last week, Daniels told CBS's "60 Minutes" programme that she and Trump had sexual relations only once, but he had kept in touch with her. She said she was not attracted to Trump, who was 60 at the time. Daniels was 27 in 2006.

In filings with the US&nbsp;Justice Department and Federal Election Commission, watchdog groups have said the payment amount may have exceeded campaign contribution limits and violated U.S. law.

A former Playboy model, Karen McDougal, has described having a 10-month affair with Trump, also starting in 2006, which the White House has said Trump denies.

The White House has denied that Trump had sex with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. Daniels has said she and Trump had sex once in 2006

US President Donald Trump, in his first public remarks about an intimate relationship he has been accused of having with an adult film star, said on Thursday he did not know about a $130,000 payment made by his lawyer to actress Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet. The White House has denied that Trump had sex with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. Daniels has said she and Trump had sex once in 2006. Asked why his lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid the money if the allegations were untrue, Trump told reporters on Air Force One, "You'll have to ask Michael Cohen. Michael's my attorney." Asked if he knew about the payment to Daniels, Trump said "No." Asked if he knew where the money came from to pay Daniels, Trump told reporters, "No, I don’t know." Cohen has said he paid Daniels out of his own pocket. Last month, Daniels sued Cohen to be released from the non-disclosure agreement she signed in October 2016 in exchange for the $130,000 payment from him. Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, said Trump's admission that he did not know about the agreement bolstered his client's case to be released from the deal. "Good (actually GREAT) things come to those who wait!!! The strength of our case just went up exponentially. You can't have an agreement when one party claims to know nothing about it," Avenatti said on Twitter. Avenatti has said he wants to question Trump and Cohen about the agreement, which was signed the month before Trump was elected president. "We very much look forward to testing the truthfulness of Mr. Trump's feigned lack of knowledge concerning the $130k payment as stated on Air Force One," Avenatti tweeted. "As history teaches us, it is one thing to deceive the press and quite another to do so under oath." Last week, a federal judge said Avenatti's request to depose Trump and Cohen was premature. Cohen wants to force Daniels to use arbitration, as opposed to open court, to settle the dispute over the agreement. In an interview that aired last week, Daniels told CBS's "60 Minutes" programme that she and Trump had sexual relations only once, but he had kept in touch with her. She said she was not attracted to Trump, who was 60 at the time. Daniels was 27 in 2006. In filings with the US Justice Department and Federal Election Commission, watchdog groups have said the payment amount may have exceeded campaign contribution limits and violated U.S. law. A former Playboy model, Karen McDougal, has described having a 10-month affair with Trump, also starting in 2006, which the White House has said Trump denies.

Did not know about $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels: Trump

Air Force One will be upgraded with two new refrigerators that will cost the United States taxpayers nearly $24 million.

In December, the US&nbsp;Air Force approved a $23.6 million contract with Boeing to replace two of the five &quot;cold chiller units&quot; aboard the aircraft used by President Donald Trump, reported CNN.

According to the Department of Defense (DOD) contract, the $24 million contract will cover the costs of engineering support services for the new chillers -- including prototype design, manufacturing and installation.

One reason the refrigerators cost so much is that Air Force One is a heavily modified and customized 747 jets, according to Defense One.

It is reported that the refrigerators and &quot;many other items on the aircraft&quot; are unique and not found on commercial or business aircraft.

Additionally, contractors that work on the presidential jet must also have high-level security clearances.

The $24 million price tag amounts to enough taxpayer money to fund an estimated eight weekends for the president at Mar-a-Lago in Florida&#39;s Palm Beach, where Trump visited 11 times in his first year as president, according to the media reports.

In December, the US Air Force approved a $23.6 million contract with Boeing to replace two of the five "cold chiller units" aboard the aircraft used by President Donald Trump

Air Force One will be upgraded with two new refrigerators that will cost the United States taxpayers nearly $24 million. In December, the US Air Force approved a $23.6 million contract with Boeing to replace two of the five "cold chiller units" aboard the aircraft used by President Donald Trump, reported CNN. According to the Department of Defense (DOD) contract, the $24 million contract will cover the costs of engineering support services for the new chillers -- including prototype design, manufacturing and installation. One reason the refrigerators cost so much is that Air Force One is a heavily modified and customized 747 jets, according to Defense One. It is reported that the refrigerators and "many other items on the aircraft" are unique and not found on commercial or business aircraft. Additionally, contractors that work on the presidential jet must also have high-level security clearances. The $24 million price tag amounts to enough taxpayer money to fund an estimated eight weekends for the president at Mar-a-Lago in Florida's Palm Beach, where Trump visited 11 times in his first year as president, according to the media reports.

Air Force One's new refrigerators cost $24 million

David Litt served from 2011 to 2016 as the special assistant to President Obama. He played a crucial role in the Obama presidency as the senior presidential speechwriter. He was the youngest to do in US history. Known as the comic muse for the US President, David is also known as the &quot;Man Behind the President&#39;s Jokes&quot;.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION took this opportunity to speak to David Litt who reflected on myriad topics from the role of jokes in politics to Trump, from Obama&#39;s iconic speeches to Air Force One.

&nbsp;

WION:&nbsp; You were just 24 years old when you started at the White House. How did you get to the speechwriter for Barack Obama?

Litt: I was one of the college students in 2008 who was energised by Barack Obama Campaign and after I graduated I moved to Ohio and worked at the state level at the campaigns and then I moved to Washington having no plans of becoming a speech writer, but then one thing led to another and then I&nbsp; ended up getting a job at a firm writing speech for CEOs and other companies mostly private sector leaders.&nbsp;

Few years after that White House had the opening at the bottom of the ladder for a speechwriter to the senior staff. And they basically said- Hey if you want to apply for this job your references are pretty good, you are the only applicant. Why don&#39;t you come over to work at the White House and I was like- Yeah okay, that sounds pretty good. I can do that.

So I hope there was a little talent involved but I think it was to be at the right place at the right time. &nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/170925-thegist-davidlitt.crop.promo-xlarge2-20180109111304.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
&#39;Man Behind the President&#39;s Jokes&#39; (WION)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

 
Let&#39;s go a little backward and try and get to know the &#39;Man Behind Presidents Words&#39; a little better.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION: Where did you grow up? And how did it all started?&nbsp;

Litt: I grew up in New York City in Manhattan, and I was never incredibly politically active but my parents would talk about politics like the other people&#39;s parents talk about sports around at the dinner table, and I had never planned of being a political speechwriter but I did write a lot of comedy. So, I had done stand-up comedy when I was in High School, I edited a Humour Magazine when I was in college and that was the sort of entry that I had in writing. It turned out to be useful but I hadn&#39;t guessed that in advance. I never planned on being a writer professionally.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION: What was your first President Obama moment?&nbsp;

Litt: First time I met President Obama was for a video where he was wishing America Happy Thanks Giving so it was not a big important video but for me, it was really important. I have never written anything like this. And we went to the taping to watch the President and right before the President started, the videographer she stopped and she turn(ed) to me and said- Mr. President, this is David and this is the first time that he has ever written for you.

President Obama turned to me and said: Well, how is it going for you, David?

And I have literally no idea of what I said. I literally blacked out. Like I don&#39;t remember what I told the President.

Later, I found out that it was (a) completely common occurrence. Like people would meet him and completely short circuit and not remember a word they said.

I guess it happened to the best of us something that we are not familiar.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION: If I were to mention some of the most iconic speeches that Barack Obama made I would recall the speech on Race (relations) that he gave in 2008. Do you think he has more of a personal touch in his speeches, unlike other politicians?

Litt: I think the speech was very personal, I mean not exclusively. Many many speeches that President Obama gave was deeply personal.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION: How has comedy been the tool of getting a political message out?

Litt: One of the things that I learned when I was in the White House and it becomes more true with time is that comedy is a great way of getting attention and it&#39;s harder to get peoples attention than ever before. You know with the Internet.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION:&nbsp; One interesting thing about President Obama was that he gave a lot of references about people in his speeches. You were meant to be talking to these people and getting the insights. What was that like?

Litt:&nbsp; One of my favourite part of the job was to talk to people who were not in Washington DC; who were going to be mentioned by the President but they often didn&#39;t know that. So, I would talk to them, hear their stories and then we will pick people who were really inspiring. You know people who were demonstrating resilience of which all Americans can be proud of.

&nbsp;

WION:&nbsp; You have mentioned about &quot;The Plane&quot; in your book. How cool is it to be the one on &quot;The Plane&quot;?

Litt: Air Force One is just pretty awesome. I mean there is getting around that. There are lots of perks of the White House that wouldn&#39;t be as amazing as you think but Air Force is actually amazing. It wasn&#39;t even about the perks it was about being on Air Force One. More than the White House, in certain ways, Air Force One is the symbol of America...It&#39;s just really special. I do fly coach now. So yeah, I do miss that part of my job.

&nbsp;

WION: What is the process of writing a comic speech for the President?&nbsp;

Litt: In someway jokes are not the highest stakes thing the President has got to do, in fact, it can be just opposite. But they (jokes) can be very difficult because in a joke every word needs to be exactly right. So we would get jokes from 12-13 people, we would give hundreds of ideas and cut that down to 40, and then work with the President to pick with him the one he likes the most.&nbsp;

President Obama in addition to being a funny guy in person is amazing in delivering a joke on stage. So he made us look good which you know was pretty nice.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION: Tell us about two of the best memories while working for the White House?&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Litt:&nbsp;That&#39;s a difficult question because there are so many things.

One of the best memory that I have is the first day I walked through the gate. The feeling of saying, wait is it really me in here? It was impossible not to have that going through in my head.&nbsp;

The other moment was when President Obama gave one of his best speeches, most important speeches that I think, was when he spoke for the victims of Mass Shooting in Charlottesville... at the same day the Supreme Court ruled in favour of marriage equality, so gays and lesbians could get married nationwide, and also a day before (the) Supreme Court upheld the Healthcare law. All three of those things combined people from all over Washington. (They) started coming to the White House and White House was lit up in the colour of a rainbow. You see a little progress every time and you see that your country is a lot better place in the evening than it was in the morning. That is pretty amazing to be a part off.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION: What were some of the challenges of writing speeches for one of the most powerful men on this planet?

Litt: People constantly criticising of what you write though they don&#39;t know that you are writing it. And also you have people who are always taking words out of context. I mean that is politics. And it is then when you have to constantly look over your shoulder while writing, which is hard.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION: What was the thing that you loved most about working with President Obama?&nbsp;

Litt:&nbsp; What I loved working with President Obama was to be a chance to be a part of these moments. To play even the smallest role in somebody&#39;s kid getting a healthcare when they needed or somebody feeling that their story is becoming a part of the American story that they never thought it would be. Just to be one of many many people contributing to that was a very very good feeling.&nbsp; And I really do miss that.

&nbsp;

WION: What were your fear while writing for the President?

Litt: My biggest fear was making a mistake that would make my Boss Look bad. You know if he looked bad it will be a national news may be not just in the US, it could be international news. So the stakes were just so much higher. The job was similar but the consequences of the mistakes were not just the same.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION:&nbsp;What do you think will be the most difficult part to deal while writing for President Trump?

Litt: One of the things that I learnt was that the words are important but what is more imp is the ideas behind it. Most difficult part for me to write for Donald Trump would be the world of his ideas which I do not agree with as it is contrary to everything America stood for since the beginning of the US. And so the speechwriting thing would be difficult and I wouldn&#39;t be taking up the job is that there is something fundamentally wrong with the way he views the US.

&nbsp;

WION: In this age of social media where the Twitter rules, what is the relevance of a speech?

Litt:&nbsp; I think the speeches that the President gives will always matter. What might matter is the day to day speaking that the President would do. But I think in big moments like State of the Union or in times of Crisis, people want to hear from the President. People want to hear from there leaders. And I think that is still true even in a social media age. And people sill want this stability and the depth of understanding that you only can get through a speech; you can&#39;t really get through a tweet.

"Most difficult part for me to write for Donald Trump would be the world of his ideas, which I do not agree with, as it is contrary to everything America stood for since the beginning of the US", David Litt, senior presidential speechwriter of Barack Obama

David Litt served from 2011 to 2016 as the special assistant to President Obama. He played a crucial role in the Obama presidency as the senior presidential speechwriter. He was the youngest to do in US history. Known as the comic muse for the US President, David is also known as the "Man Behind the President's Jokes". WION took this opportunity to speak to David Litt who reflected on myriad topics from the role of jokes in politics to Trump, from Obama's iconic speeches to Air Force One. WION: You were just 24 years old when you started at the White House. How did you get to the speechwriter for Barack Obama? Litt: I was one of the college students in 2008 who was energised by Barack Obama Campaign and after I graduated I moved to Ohio and worked at the state level at the campaigns and then I moved to Washington having no plans of becoming a speech writer, but then one thing led to another and then I ended up getting a job at a firm writing speech for CEOs and other companies mostly private sector leaders. Few years after that White House had the opening at the bottom of the ladder for a speechwriter to the senior staff. And they basically said- Hey if you want to apply for this job your references are pretty good, you are the only applicant. Why don't you come over to work at the White House and I was like- Yeah okay, that sounds pretty good. I can do that. So I hope there was a little talent involved but I think it was to be at the right place at the right time. 'Man Behind the President's Jokes' (WION) × Let's go a little backward and try and get to know the 'Man Behind Presidents Words' a little better. WION: Where did you grow up? And how did it all started? Litt: I grew up in New York City in Manhattan, and I was never incredibly politically active but my parents would talk about politics like the other people's parents talk about sports around at the dinner table, and I had never planned of being a political speechwriter but I did write a lot of comedy. So, I had done stand-up comedy when I was in High School, I edited a Humour Magazine when I was in college and that was the sort of entry that I had in writing. It turned out to be useful but I hadn't guessed that in advance. I never planned on being a writer professionally. WION: What was your first President Obama moment? Litt: First time I met President Obama was for a video where he was wishing America Happy Thanks Giving so it was not a big important video but for me, it was really important. I have never written anything like this. And we went to the taping to watch the President and right before the President started, the videographer she stopped and she turn(ed) to me and said- Mr. President, this is David and this is the first time that he has ever written for you. President Obama turned to me and said: Well, how is it going for you, David? And I have literally no idea of what I said. I literally blacked out. Like I don't remember what I told the President. Later, I found out that it was (a) completely common occurrence. Like people would meet him and completely short circuit and not remember a word they said. I guess it happened to the best of us something that we are not familiar. WION: If I were to mention some of the most iconic speeches that Barack Obama made I would recall the speech on Race (relations) that he gave in 2008. Do you think he has more of a personal touch in his speeches, unlike other politicians? Litt: I think the speech was very personal, I mean not exclusively. Many many speeches that President Obama gave was deeply personal. WION: How has comedy been the tool of getting a political message out? Litt: One of the things that I learned when I was in the White House and it becomes more true with time is that comedy is a great way of getting attention and it's harder to get peoples attention than ever before. You know with the Internet. WION: One interesting thing about President Obama was that he gave a lot of references about people in his speeches. You were meant to be talking to these people and getting the insights. What was that like? Litt: One of my favourite part of the job was to talk to people who were not in Washington DC; who were going to be mentioned by the President but they often didn't know that. So, I would talk to them, hear their stories and then we will pick people who were really inspiring. You know people who were demonstrating resilience of which all Americans can be proud of. WION: You have mentioned about "The Plane" in your book. How cool is it to be the one on "The Plane"? Litt: Air Force One is just pretty awesome. I mean there is getting around that. There are lots of perks of the White House that wouldn't be as amazing as you think but Air Force is actually amazing. It wasn't even about the perks it was about being on Air Force One. More than the White House, in certain ways, Air Force One is the symbol of America...It's just really special. I do fly coach now. So yeah, I do miss that part of my job. WION: What is the process of writing a comic speech for the President? Litt: In someway jokes are not the highest stakes thing the President has got to do, in fact, it can be just opposite. But they (jokes) can be very difficult because in a joke every word needs to be exactly right. So we would get jokes from 12-13 people, we would give hundreds of ideas and cut that down to 40, and then work with the President to pick with him the one he likes the most. President Obama in addition to being a funny guy in person is amazing in delivering a joke on stage. So he made us look good which you know was pretty nice. WION: Tell us about two of the best memories while working for the White House? Litt: That's a difficult question because there are so many things. One of the best memory that I have is the first day I walked through the gate. The feeling of saying, wait is it really me in here? It was impossible not to have that going through in my head. The other moment was when President Obama gave one of his best speeches, most important speeches that I think, was when he spoke for the victims of Mass Shooting in Charlottesville... at the same day the Supreme Court ruled in favour of marriage equality, so gays and lesbians could get married nationwide, and also a day before (the) Supreme Court upheld the Healthcare law. All three of those things combined people from all over Washington. (They) started coming to the White House and White House was lit up in the colour of a rainbow. You see a little progress every time and you see that your country is a lot better place in the evening than it was in the morning. That is pretty amazing to be a part off. WION: What were some of the challenges of writing speeches for one of the most powerful men on this planet? Litt: People constantly criticising of what you write though they don't know that you are writing it. And also you have people who are always taking words out of context. I mean that is politics. And it is then when you have to constantly look over your shoulder while writing, which is hard. WION: What was the thing that you loved most about working with President Obama? Litt: What I loved working with President Obama was to be a chance to be a part of these moments. To play even the smallest role in somebody's kid getting a healthcare when they needed or somebody feeling that their story is becoming a part of the American story that they never thought it would be. Just to be one of many many people contributing to that was a very very good feeling. And I really do miss that. WION: What were your fear while writing for the President? Litt: My biggest fear was making a mistake that would make my Boss Look bad. You know if he looked bad it will be a national news may be not just in the US, it could be international news. So the stakes were just so much higher. The job was similar but the consequences of the mistakes were not just the same. WION: What do you think will be the most difficult part to deal while writing for President Trump? Litt: One of the things that I learnt was that the words are important but what is more imp is the ideas behind it. Most difficult part for me to write for Donald Trump would be the world of his ideas which I do not agree with as it is contrary to everything America stood for since the beginning of the US. And so the speechwriting thing would be difficult and I wouldn't be taking up the job is that there is something fundamentally wrong with the way he views the US. WION: In this age of social media where the Twitter rules, what is the relevance of a speech? Litt: I think the speeches that the President gives will always matter. What might matter is the day to day speaking that the President would do. But I think in big moments like State of the Union or in times of Crisis, people want to hear from the President. People want to hear from there leaders. And I think that is still true even in a social media age. And people sill want this stability and the depth of understanding that you only can get through a speech; you can't really get through a tweet.

Opinion: On Obama, Trump, Air Force One and Jokes

US President Donald Trump departed Washington for an almost two week trip to Asia Friday, leaving a trail of invective and scandal that risks overshadowing efforts at top-level diplomacy.

Trump left Joint Base Andrews bound for Hawaii - where he will receive a briefing from United States Pacific Command - before travelling on to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines.

But before climbing the steps of Air Force One, Trump unleashed a Twitter barrage, pillorying his own Justice Department and calling for his former political opponents to be prosecuted.

&quot;A lot of people are disappointed in the Justice Department, including me,&quot; Trump later said, complaining they were probing his campaign&#39;s ties to Russia but not adequately investigating his former Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

&quot;There was no collusion, there was no nothing. It&#39;s a disgrace, frankly, that they continue.&quot;

His comments dealt a fresh blow to the traditional barriers between the executive and the judicial system, breaking the taboo over presidential interference with investigations.

Trump will meet China&rsquo;s Xi Jinping, Japan&#39;s Shinzo Abe and other Asian leaders with his standing at home dramatically weakened by series of indictments against former campaign aides.

His week started with special counsel Robert Mueller - who is investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 election - indicting Trump&rsquo;s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort on money laundering charges.

Mueller also revealed that a Trump campaign aide George Papadopoulos had lied to the FBI about his contacts with Kremlin-connected officials, but then turned informant.&nbsp;

Trump said he did not recall a campaign encounter with Papadopoulos, during which the young aide proposed a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

&quot;I don&rsquo;t remember much about that meeting, it was a very unimportant meeting. Don`t remember much about it,&quot; Trump said.The president, who was elected one year ago, may be leaving Washington, but news from the US capital is likely to trail him.&nbsp;

New indictments are rumoured to be on the way, perhaps within days.

While he is away Republican lawmakers will also be working furiously to pass tax cuts that are make-or-break for his legislative agenda.

And there will also be gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey seen - in part - as a gauge of his popularity.&nbsp;

Trump tried to seize on Democratic infighting ahead of those votes, fired up by explosive revelations from a top Democratic operative that the 2016 presidential primaries were tipped in Clinton`s favor.

&quot;Crooked Hillary Clinton, rigged the Primaries! Lets go FBI &amp; Justice Dept,&quot; he tweeted.

Trump&rsquo;s trip itself had already promised to be anything but easy.

The main foreign policy item on the agenda will be efforts to contain or roll back North Korea&#39;s ballistic and nuclear missile programs.

It is the longest presidential tour of Asia since George HW Bush visited in late 1991 and early 1992.

That culminated in the 41st president fainting and vomiting at a banquet in Japan.

Trump used his departure to announce that the already marathon trip will be extended to include an East Asia Summit in the Philippines, which he had been slated to miss.

Trump will meet China?s Xi Jinping, Japan?s Shinzo Abe and other Asian leaders with his standing at home dramatically weakened by series of indictments against former campaign aides.

US President Donald Trump departed Washington for an almost two week trip to Asia Friday, leaving a trail of invective and scandal that risks overshadowing efforts at top-level diplomacy. Trump left Joint Base Andrews bound for Hawaii - where he will receive a briefing from United States Pacific Command - before travelling on to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. But before climbing the steps of Air Force One, Trump unleashed a Twitter barrage, pillorying his own Justice Department and calling for his former political opponents to be prosecuted. "A lot of people are disappointed in the Justice Department, including me," Trump later said, complaining they were probing his campaign's ties to Russia but not adequately investigating his former Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. "There was no collusion, there was no nothing. It's a disgrace, frankly, that they continue." His comments dealt a fresh blow to the traditional barriers between the executive and the judicial system, breaking the taboo over presidential interference with investigations. Trump will meet China’s Xi Jinping, Japan's Shinzo Abe and other Asian leaders with his standing at home dramatically weakened by series of indictments against former campaign aides. His week started with special counsel Robert Mueller - who is investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 election - indicting Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort on money laundering charges. Mueller also revealed that a Trump campaign aide George Papadopoulos had lied to the FBI about his contacts with Kremlin-connected officials, but then turned informant. Trump said he did not recall a campaign encounter with Papadopoulos, during which the young aide proposed a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I don’t remember much about that meeting, it was a very unimportant meeting. Don`t remember much about it," Trump said.The president, who was elected one year ago, may be leaving Washington, but news from the US capital is likely to trail him. New indictments are rumoured to be on the way, perhaps within days. While he is away Republican lawmakers will also be working furiously to pass tax cuts that are make-or-break for his legislative agenda. And there will also be gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey seen - in part - as a gauge of his popularity. Trump tried to seize on Democratic infighting ahead of those votes, fired up by explosive revelations from a top Democratic operative that the 2016 presidential primaries were tipped in Clinton`s favor. "Crooked Hillary Clinton, rigged the Primaries! Lets go FBI & Justice Dept," he tweeted. Trump’s trip itself had already promised to be anything but easy. The main foreign policy item on the agenda will be efforts to contain or roll back North Korea's ballistic and nuclear missile programs. It is the longest presidential tour of Asia since George HW Bush visited in late 1991 and early 1992. That culminated in the 41st president fainting and vomiting at a banquet in Japan. Trump used his departure to announce that the already marathon trip will be extended to include an East Asia Summit in the Philippines, which he had been slated to miss.

US President Donald Trump leaves for Asia with heavy domestic baggage

US President Donald Trump said late on Friday (February 10) aboard Air Force One that he is considering issuing a revised travel ban executive order, after the initial order was rejected by an appeal court a day earlier.

In a step that triggered the most serious legal confrontation yet for the new Republican administration, Trump two weeks ago issued an executive order banning entry into the United States by refugees and citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, triggering nationwide protests and legal challenges.

A federal judge in Seattle last week issued a temporary restraining order putting the travel ban on hold. That suspension was upheld by an appeals court in San Francisco on Thursday, raising questions about Trump&#39;s next step.

In a surprise visit with reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Florida from Washington, Trump said he was considering &quot;a brand new order&quot; that could be issued as soon as Monday or Tuesday if he decides to move in that direction.

Trump&#39;s order, which he called a national security measure meant to head off attacks by Islamist militants, barred people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering for 90 days and all refugees for 120 days, except refugees from Syria, who are banned indefinitely.

President Trump tweeted on the travel ban, once again taking a pot shot at the judiciary.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Our legal system is broken! &quot;77% of refugees allowed into U.S. since travel reprieve hail from seven suspect countries.&quot; (WT) SO DANGEROUS!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/830389130311921667">February 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

On Air Force One, Trump said regarding the 9th Circuit court fight: &quot;We will win that battle. The unfortunate part is that it takes time statutorily ... We need speed for reasons of security.&quot;

In separate remarks, Trump also said that Iran President Hassan Rouhani &quot;better be careful&quot; after Rouhani was quoted as saying that anyone who speaks to Iranians with threats would regret it.

Trump was asked about Rouhani&#39;s reported remarks to a rally in Tehran to celebrate the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.

Rouhani was quoted in media reports as saying Iran had shown in the 38 years since the revolution that &quot;it will make anyone who speaks to Iranians with the language of threats regret it&quot;.

&quot;He better be careful,&quot; Trump said.

Trump, on February 2, had put Iran &quot;on notice&quot; over charges that Tehran violated a nuclear deal with the West by test-firing a ballistic missile, taking an aggressive posture toward Iran that could raise tensions in the region.
<centre><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0aHsVdI1uqk" width="560"></iframe><centre>
Transcribed interview of President Trump onboard Air Force One:

TRUMP: &quot;Hello, everybody. Everything good? Press conference, good? I think it was great, huh? Really good. Are you comfortable?

REPORTER: &quot;Can you talk about some of what you said?&quot;

TRUMP: &quot;Some what?&quot;

REPORTER: &quot;Some of what you said in the press conference.&quot;

TRUMP: &quot;Sure.&quot;

REPORTER: &quot;You spoke about you--, you, you&#39;re going to win this--, this court battle against the--, the-, the immigration travel ban.&quot;

TRUMP: &quot;We will win that battle. The unfortunate part is it takes time statutorily. So, it takes a little time. We&#39;ll win that battle but we also have a lot of other options, including just filing a brand new order on Monday.&quot;

REPORTER: &quot;Is that your plan to--&quot;

TRUMP: &quot;Could very well be. But I like to keep you, you know, I like to surprise you. We need speed for reasons of security, so it could very well be that we do that.&quot;

REPORTER: &quot;What are some of the changes that you are looking at?&quot;

TRUMP: &quot;Very little. Just--, in honor of the decision we will, perhaps, do that. We&#39;ll see. But, Monday or Tuesday.&quot;

REPORTER: &quot;You talked about new security measures. Is that separate from, potentially, running a new--&quot;

TRUMP: &quot;We&#39;re going to have very, very strong vetting. I call it extreme vetting and we&#39;re going to have very strong security in our country. We are going to have people come into our country that want to be here for good reasons.&quot;

REPORTER: &quot;What do you think of reports, Mr. President--. What do you make of reports that General Flynn had conversations with the Russians about sanctions before you were sworn-in?&quot;

TRUMP: &quot;I don&#39;t know about it. I haven&#39;t seen it. What report is that? I haven&#39;t seen it.&quot;

REPORTER: &quot;(Unintelligible) reporting that he talked to the ambassador of Russia before you were inaugurated about sanctions being--&quot;

TRUMP: &quot;I haven&#39;t seen that. I&#39;ll look at that.&quot;

REPORTER: &quot;Mr. President, what is your response to the Iranian president who, earlier today, told people that any--, any nation that threatens the nation of Iran is going to regret it eventually.&quot;

TRUMP: &quot;He better be careful. Thank you. Thank you very much.&quot;

(Reuters)
</centre></centre>

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump had a message for the Iranian president - 'better be careful'

US President Donald Trump said late on Friday (February 10) aboard Air Force One that he is considering issuing a revised travel ban executive order, after the initial order was rejected by an appeal court a day earlier. In a step that triggered the most serious legal confrontation yet for the new Republican administration, Trump two weeks ago issued an executive order banning entry into the United States by refugees and citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, triggering nationwide protests and legal challenges. A federal judge in Seattle last week issued a temporary restraining order putting the travel ban on hold. That suspension was upheld by an appeals court in San Francisco on Thursday, raising questions about Trump's next step. In a surprise visit with reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Florida from Washington, Trump said he was considering "a brand new order" that could be issued as soon as Monday or Tuesday if he decides to move in that direction. Trump's order, which he called a national security measure meant to head off attacks by Islamist militants, barred people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering for 90 days and all refugees for 120 days, except refugees from Syria, who are banned indefinitely. President Trump tweeted on the travel ban, once again taking a pot shot at the judiciary. Our legal system is broken! "77% of refugees allowed into U.S. since travel reprieve hail from seven suspect countries." (WT) SO DANGEROUS! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 11, 2017 × On Air Force One, Trump said regarding the 9th Circuit court fight: "We will win that battle. The unfortunate part is that it takes time statutorily ... We need speed for reasons of security." In separate remarks, Trump also said that Iran President Hassan Rouhani "better be careful" after Rouhani was quoted as saying that anyone who speaks to Iranians with threats would regret it. Trump was asked about Rouhani's reported remarks to a rally in Tehran to celebrate the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. Rouhani was quoted in media reports as saying Iran had shown in the 38 years since the revolution that "it will make anyone who speaks to Iranians with the language of threats regret it". "He better be careful," Trump said. Trump, on February 2, had put Iran "on notice" over charges that Tehran violated a nuclear deal with the West by test-firing a ballistic missile, taking an aggressive posture toward Iran that could raise tensions in the region. Transcribed interview of President Trump onboard Air Force One: TRUMP: "Hello, everybody. Everything good? Press conference, good? I think it was great, huh? Really good. Are you comfortable? REPORTER: "Can you talk about some of what you said?" TRUMP: "Some what?" REPORTER: "Some of what you said in the press conference." TRUMP: "Sure." REPORTER: "You spoke about you--, you, you're going to win this--, this court battle against the--, the-, the immigration travel ban." TRUMP: "We will win that battle. The unfortunate part is it takes time statutorily. So, it takes a little time. We'll win that battle but we also have a lot of other options, including just filing a brand new order on Monday." REPORTER: "Is that your plan to--" TRUMP: "Could very well be. But I like to keep you, you know, I like to surprise you. We need speed for reasons of security, so it could very well be that we do that." REPORTER: "What are some of the changes that you are looking at?" TRUMP: "Very little. Just--, in honor of the decision we will, perhaps, do that. We'll see. But, Monday or Tuesday." REPORTER: "You talked about new security measures. Is that separate from, potentially, running a new--" TRUMP: "We're going to have very, very strong vetting. I call it extreme vetting and we're going to have very strong security in our country. We are going to have people come into our country that want to be here for good reasons." REPORTER: "What do you think of reports, Mr. President--. What do you make of reports that General Flynn had conversations with the Russians about sanctions before you were sworn-in?" TRUMP: "I don't know about it. I haven't seen it. What report is that? I haven't seen it." REPORTER: "(Unintelligible) reporting that he talked to the ambassador of Russia before you were inaugurated about sanctions being--" TRUMP: "I haven't seen that. I'll look at that." REPORTER: "Mr. President, what is your response to the Iranian president who, earlier today, told people that any--, any nation that threatens the nation of Iran is going to regret it eventually." TRUMP: "He better be careful. Thank you. Thank you very much." (Reuters)

Aboard Air Force One: Trump mulls 'brand new order' to revise travel ban

US President-elect Donald Trump called for the cancellation of a multi-billion dollar contract with Boeing to build the next Air Force One, calling the inflating costs &quot;totally out of control&rdquo;.

&quot;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!&quot; he tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
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!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/806134244384899072">December 6, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Trump&#39;s tweet come close on the heels of&nbsp;the aerospace giant&#39;s chief executive&nbsp;Dennis Muilenburg expressing concerns on the anti-trade rehtoric voiced by Trump. Trump has&nbsp;vowed to withdraw fromt the Trans-Pacific Partenrship. He has also slammed the North American Free trade Agreement in the past for draining American jobs.&nbsp;

About 75 percent of the planemaker&rsquo;s near-record order backlog is bound for overseas customers, The Chicago Tribune reported.

When Boeing was first asked to do the job in January 2015, the cost of converting two 747-8 jumbo jets to state-of-the-art luxury command centers by 2024 was estimated $3 billion.

Trump&#39;s tweet caused the shares of Boeing stock to&nbsp;fall nearly $2 a share before markets opened on Tuesday, The Washington Post reported.&nbsp;

The light blue and white liveried jets, with &nbsp;&quot;United States of America&quot; emblazoned on the fuselage and an American flag on the tail, are known to be a powerful symbol of US might.

But the current &nbsp;747-200s, first ordered by Ronald Reagan and put into service in 1990, are reported to be getting old.

The country&rsquo;s Air Force issued the first of a series of contracts for the project to build new ones, beginning this year.

It, however, was a $25.7 million effort to look at ways to cut the costs of fielding the next presidential aircraft, news agency AFP reported.

But the cost projections have reportedly risen.

&quot;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,&quot; the president-elect told reporters at Trump Tower, his Manhattan headquarters, AFP reported.

&quot;We are currently under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of these complex military aircraft that serve the unique requirements of the President of the United States,&quot; Boeing said in statement, not referring to Trump&rsquo;s comments directly, AFP reported.

&quot;We look forward to working with the US Air Force on subsequent phases of the program allowing us to deliver the best planes for the president at the best value for the American taxpayer,&quot; Boeing said.

Following Trump&rsquo;s comments, the White House said that it does not know where Trump got his figure of more than $4 billion from.

&quot;Some of the statistics that have been cited, shall we say, don&rsquo;t appear to reflect the nature of the financial arrangement between Boeing and the Department of Defense,&quot; White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters.

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

The tweet comes soon after Boeing's CEO Muilenburg expressed concerns on the anti-trade rehtoric voiced by Trump

US President-elect Donald Trump called for the cancellation of a multi-billion dollar contract with Boeing to build the next Air Force One, calling the inflating costs "totally out of control”. "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!" he tweeted. 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 × Trump's tweet come close on the heels of the aerospace giant's chief executive Dennis Muilenburg expressing concerns on the anti-trade rehtoric voiced by Trump. Trump has vowed to withdraw fromt the Trans-Pacific Partenrship. He has also slammed the North American Free trade Agreement in the past for draining American jobs. About 75 percent of the planemaker’s near-record order backlog is bound for overseas customers, The Chicago Tribune reported. When Boeing was first asked to do the job in January 2015, the cost of converting two 747-8 jumbo jets to state-of-the-art luxury command centers by 2024 was estimated $3 billion. Trump's tweet caused the shares of Boeing stock to fall nearly $2 a share before markets opened on Tuesday, The Washington Post reported. The light blue and white liveried jets, with "United States of America" emblazoned on the fuselage and an American flag on the tail, are known to be a powerful symbol of US might. But the current 747-200s, first ordered by Ronald Reagan and put into service in 1990, are reported to be getting old. The country’s Air Force issued the first of a series of contracts for the project to build new ones, beginning this year. It, however, was a $25.7 million effort to look at ways to cut the costs of fielding the next presidential aircraft, news agency AFP reported. But the cost projections have reportedly risen. "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," the president-elect told reporters at Trump Tower, his Manhattan headquarters, AFP reported. "We are currently under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of these complex military aircraft that serve the unique requirements of the President of the United States," Boeing said in statement, not referring to Trump’s comments directly, AFP reported. "We look forward to working with the US Air Force on subsequent phases of the program allowing us to deliver the best planes for the president at the best value for the American taxpayer," Boeing said. Following Trump’s comments, the White House said that it does not know where Trump got his figure of more than $4 billion from. "Some of the statistics that have been cited, shall we say, don’t appear to reflect the nature of the financial arrangement between Boeing and the Department of Defense," White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters. (WION with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

Trump calls for cancellation of new Air Force One order, says costs 'out of control'

air-force-one

Air Force One, News on Air Force One, stories on Air Force One, articles on Air Force One, Air Force One stories at Wion, Air Force One news, Air Force One latest news

air force-one