fake ‘library’ – President Donald Trump’s first flight on a new $400 million Air Force One gifted by Qatar turned into a social-media roast after photos appeared to show a bookshelf of fake books—including one labeled “Library.” The inaugural trip also showcased plush interior
President Donald Trump took flight Wednesday on his new Air Force One for the first time. heading to North Dakota for an event. The aircraft is widely billed as a landmark upgrade—a $400 million jet gifted to the U.S. by Qatar. But as the photos rolled in from the cabin, the loudest reaction wasn’t about the engineering. It was about what looked like a bookshelf full of fake books.
Across social media, Trump administration members posted images and videos of the plane’s plush finishes. There were pillows branded with the presidential seal. a meeting table trimmed in white grain leather. and decorative touches that included framed volumes and images of Washington landmarks mounted on the walls. In the background of some pictures. users said they could spot a bookshelf filled with books that appear to be fabricated.
One X user wrote: “Of course a plane full of people who have never read a book has a bookshelf of fake books with titles like ‘Library’.” Another joked: “Volume III of the Library is a real nail-biter.” The mocking spread as more administration content from the inaugural flight circulated.
Karoline Leavitt was on board for the trip and posted a photo in front of what appears to be dozens of fake books. In the background of the shot. users pointed to volumes simply labeled “Library.” Leavitt also filmed an Instagram vlog of the journey as administration members flew to North Dakota to celebrate the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
During the ride, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller flashed Leavitt a peace sign and told her the new plane was “majestic.” White House staffers also showed the trip’s lighter moments, including a brunch of bagel sandwiches, fruit and juice, as photos circulated.
The flight also highlighted a new visual identity for the aircraft. The jet features Trump’s preferred red, white and blue color scheme, replacing Air Force One’s traditional sky blue. Trump said last month. while standing in a hangar at Joint Base Andrews in front of the massive jet. “We had it all painted up. and these are the new colors: red. white and blue. ” adding. “It was my taste.”.
Even with the gloss and sparkle of the inaugural tour, the plane has remained controversial since it was announced. Critics have raised ethics concerns and cost worries. Some accused Doha of using the gift to curry favor with the president. Others questioned the need for a new plane when the Air Force is already working on multi-billion dollar replacements for the previous-generation Air Force One.
The president has said the ex-Qatari jet will be used until the official replacements are ready. After that, the gifted Air Force One is reportedly intended to be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library. The Trump Presidential Library in Miami is expected to display the gifted plane once the replacement jets enter service. A video rendering released in March showed a Miami library image of the waterfront skyscraper. described as resembling New York’s One World Trade Center. with the jet displayed.
In the middle of all that, the fake “Library” books—small, easy to spot in a blurry background—became the internet’s quickest shorthand: a symbol for mockers, and a distraction for defenders, as the Qatar-gifted jet’s debut moved from hangar hype to online scrutiny.
Trump Air Force One Qatar gift fake books Library Karoline Leavitt Stephen Miller Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Boeing VC-25B Miami presidential library ethics concerns cost worries