The Trump administration is moving forward with the purchase of a $70 million jet originally leased by former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The aircraft will reportedly be made available to select Cabinet members as well as the office of the First Lady. The arrangement ensures that Donald Trump’s wife, Melania, will have access to the high-end government plane for travel purposes.
Melania Trump reportedly will have access to Kristi Noem’s jet
Donald Trump’s wife, Melania, will be authorized to utilize the luxury jet retained by the Trump administration following Kristi Noem’s firing from the Department of Homeland Security. The Wall Street Journal report, citing a department spokeswoman and officials familiar with the arrangement, confirmed that Melania Trump’s office will have access to the aircraft alongside certain Cabinet members.
The First Lady’s inclusion on the access list comes as the administration moves forward with purchasing the plane Noem had been leasing during her tenure as DHS secretary. Noem was fired by President Donald Trump on March 5 after leading the agency for more than a year. She was subsequently named special envoy for the Shields of America initiative.
The aircraft itself offers amenities uncommon among standard government jets. The outlet reported the plane features a queen bed, showers, a kitchen, four televisions, and a bar. After all, these accommodations had led to scrutiny during a March Senate oversight hearing.
When questioned about the jet’s lavish interior, Kristi Noem defended the acquisition. “These photos are not accurate. We’re using them for long-range command-and-control aircraft,” Noem stated. She added that she had “been on it once” and emphasized it was “being used by other administration officials.”
The decision to grant Donald Trump’s wife, Melania, access to the aircraft aligns with the administration’s broader plan for it. A DHS spokesperson told the outlet, “ICE purchased this plane before Secretary [of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin] was confirmed. This aircraft will be available to Cabinet members who need secure command and control and rapid long-range mobility.”
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on Mandatory.
