President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday ripped Boeing for the cost of a new Air Force One plane, calling for the contract to be canceled.
peaking to reporters in the lobby of Trump Tower on Tuesday morning, Trump was asked about the tweet.
The Pentagon announced in January that Boeing had won the contract to replace the current Air Force One planes.
The initial contract was worth just $25.8 million, but the Air Force planned on spending as much as $1.65 billion on the project, according to Reuters.
In a statement, Boeing said it was under a $170 million contract to work on Air Force One.
"We are currently under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of these complex military aircraft that serves the unique requirements of the President of the United States," the Boeing statement said. "We look forward to working with the U.S. 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."
According to Boeing's website, the aerospace giant is planning on replacing the two 747-200 planes that serve as Air Force One with 747-8s, which they say is the fastest commercial jet in the world and emits less greenhouse gas.
The new planes are expected to be ready by 2024 — which would be Trump's last year in office if he wins a second term.
Shortly after Trump's tweet, Boeing's stocks fell 1 percent in premarket trading, according to CNBC.
Trump tweeted in 2013 that he bought stock in Boeing, a “great company.”
Trump spokesman Jason Miller confirmed in a call with reporters on Tuesday that the billionaire had owned stock in Boeing, but sold all of it in June.
One Trump supporter on Capitol Hill echoed the president-elect's concern about the plane's price tag.
"We need to look into the costs, we really do," Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) told The Hill Tuesday morning. "I'm a big fan of Boeing, they're in South Carolina and they've been great corporate neighbors, but we do need to look at the cost of it."
The Hill has reached out to Boeing for comment.
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/308932-trump-cancel-boeings-contract-for-air-force-one
peaking to reporters in the lobby of Trump Tower on Tuesday morning, Trump was asked about the tweet.
The Pentagon announced in January that Boeing had won the contract to replace the current Air Force One planes.
The initial contract was worth just $25.8 million, but the Air Force planned on spending as much as $1.65 billion on the project, according to Reuters.
In a statement, Boeing said it was under a $170 million contract to work on Air Force One.
"We are currently under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of these complex military aircraft that serves the unique requirements of the President of the United States," the Boeing statement said. "We look forward to working with the U.S. 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."
According to Boeing's website, the aerospace giant is planning on replacing the two 747-200 planes that serve as Air Force One with 747-8s, which they say is the fastest commercial jet in the world and emits less greenhouse gas.
The new planes are expected to be ready by 2024 — which would be Trump's last year in office if he wins a second term.
Shortly after Trump's tweet, Boeing's stocks fell 1 percent in premarket trading, according to CNBC.
Trump tweeted in 2013 that he bought stock in Boeing, a “great company.”
Trump spokesman Jason Miller confirmed in a call with reporters on Tuesday that the billionaire had owned stock in Boeing, but sold all of it in June.
One Trump supporter on Capitol Hill echoed the president-elect's concern about the plane's price tag.
"We need to look into the costs, we really do," Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) told The Hill Tuesday morning. "I'm a big fan of Boeing, they're in South Carolina and they've been great corporate neighbors, but we do need to look at the cost of it."
The Hill has reached out to Boeing for comment.
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/308932-trump-cancel-boeings-contract-for-air-force-one
