GOP Blocks Schumer’s Stunt To Block Taxpayer Funds For New AF1
Democrats have done nothing to help President Donald Trump, and majority Republicans do good things for the country since the GOP won a trifecta—the White House, House, and Senate—in the 2024 elections.
Rather, their entire political strategy has been simply to oppose whatever the president and his party want, regardless of any negative impact on the American people.
So it should come as no surprise that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday was once again trying to block Trump and Republicans regarding funding for the new Qatari-supplied Air Force One.
Trump’s new Air Force One will remain in service for now after Senate Republicans blocked an effort by Schumer to bar taxpayer funds from being used to upgrade the aircraft.
For the past year, Democrats have criticized the Boeing 747-8 luxury jet gifted to Trump by Qatar, raising concerns about the cost of retrofitting the aircraft as well as the potential security risks of using it as the president’s primary plane.
None of these concerns, however, justify holding up any effort to improve or secure the plane.
Following Trump’s remarks over the weekend about the aircraft, which the White House introduced last month as the newest addition to the Air Force One fleet, Schumer attempted to block any taxpayer funding from being allocated to the project.
The administration estimated that upgrading the aircraft, which has an estimated base value of $400 million, could cost as much as $1 billion, Fox News reported.
“The luxury jet may have come wrapped in a bow for Donald Trump, but it came with a massive price tag for the American people,” Schumer said on the Senate floor.
“Trump is asking taxpayers to fork over an estimated $1 billion to retrofit, and max out his flying palace, so it can meet the security standards of the existing Air Force One fleet,” Schumer whined.
“That, of course, we already paid for,” he continued.
“Americans can’t afford gas, can’t afford groceries, can’t afford their electric bill. But Trump thinks they can afford to fly him in style,” Schumer – who did nothing to help curb inflation during Joe Biden’s inflationary four years – added.
Schumer sought unanimous Senate approval of his Presidential Airlift Security Act on Wednesday afternoon.
The bill would have prohibited the Department of War from using federal funds to purchase, modify, restore, or maintain any aircraft previously owned by a foreign government.
The effort followed Trump’s decision, reportedly made after recommendations from the Secret Service, to return to the United States from Turkey aboard a different aircraft rather than the new Air Force One because it had not yet received key security upgrades, including countermeasures designed to defend against heat-seeking missiles.
Trump told reporters on Sunday, when asked why the deterrence systems weren’t visible on the new plane, said the aircraft “has a lot of capability, but as I understand it, in about a month or so, they’re going to send it to have it be maxed out.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the decision and told reporters Monday that although the new Air Force One is “perfectly safe for the president’s travels,” it is scheduled to undergo additional upgrades and enhancements this fall that will keep the aircraft grounded for about a month.
“During that time, the president will fly on the old Air Force One,” she said.
Schumer’s effort was quickly blocked by Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., who argued that the legislation extended well beyond preventing taxpayer funds from being used to upgrade the Qatari jet and could undermine the nation’s capabilities in responding to a nuclear threat.
“Unfortunately, this legislation would also apply to a different aircraft, the Survivable Air Operations Center aircraft, or SAOC,” Fischer said, per Fox.
“Those aircraft were actually purchased from Korean Air. So this legislation would hamper a crucial program that ensures presidential safety in the event of a nuclear war.”
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
Shocking 'truth' behind Prince Harry's decision to quit major role
Prince Harry should have "resigned in disgrace" from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity, a commentator says. James Walker makes the bombshell remark in Wednesday's episode of this publication's podcast, Daily Expresso.
He and the show's host, JJ Anisiobi, delve into the Duke of Sussex's dramatic decision to step down from African Parks. James, commenting on the controversy, said: "When you hear about this stuff and how long it's been going on for, you should be resigning in disgrace. [Harry] should be saying: 'I'm not touching that with a barge pole. That is a failed entity. We're going nowhere near it'.
"But no. He's still saying he's going to 'support their mission'. And again this Caroline Pearce, executive director of Survival International, goes on to say: 'His departure doesn't undo that record'.
"She alleged that African Parks was aware of the abuses for years, but it was only after Survival complained to Harry that the charity finally commissioned an investigation."
James added: "Well, she's got a point."
It emerged on Monday (August 24) that Harry was no longer a board member of the wildlife charity.
The conservation organisation has admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers against members of the semi-nomadic Baka group in Congo-Brazzaville.
African Parks has said since that it has improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
Its admission followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.
A spokesman for the Duke said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. He added: "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board.
"His commitment to conservation in Africa continues and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
Human rights organisation, Survival International, said it had been calling on Harry to step down from African Parks for years.
The group's director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Survival International said indigenous peoples know how best to manage their land and the idea outsiders know better is racist and colonial.
