Central News Agency (Central News Agency Air Force One onboard, July 1, Combined Foreign Reports) U.S. President Donald Trump today took his first ride on the new presidential aircraft "Air Force One," saying he was "excited" and thanked Qatar for gifting the luxurious aircraft. According to Agence France-Presse, Trump told reporters accompanying him at Joint Base Andrews near Washington before departing for North Dakota: "To be honest with you, I'm very excited about this maiden flight." Trump also said that the U.S. "cannot build such an airplane," even though this highly modified Boeing 747-8 aircraft was originally produced in the United States. The 80-year-old Trump is expected to attend the U.S. 250th anniversary celebration at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. Critics have raised numerous ethical, constitutional, and security concerns about foreign powers like Qatar gifting aircraft worth hundreds of millions of dollars. (Compiled by: Yang Zhaoyan) 1150701 Stand with facts, your every contribution is a force to protect press freedom. Download the CNA "One-Handed News" APP for real-time updates. Text, images, and audio on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.