Not All Who Wander Are Lost, But Trump Might Be Getting a Free Plane!

A Gift Fit for a King (or Former President?)

Hmph! A tale unfolds more curious than a hobbit's second breakfast! It seems President Trump in these modern times is poised to accept a rather…substantial gift from the royal family of Qatar. A Boeing 747 8 jet no less! One might say it's enough to make Smaug himself envious. Four sources cloaked in the shadows of anonymity have confirmed this curious development to NBC News. It's a far cry from my trusty steed Shadowfax I must say. Though I doubt even Shadowfax could outrun the scrutiny this gift will surely bring.

One Plane to Rule Them All and in the Darkness Bind Them?

This 'Air Force One,' as they call it is intended to grace the tarmac of Trump's presidential library foundation. They say it will happen upon the conclusion of what they call his 'second White House term.' A second term you say? That remains to be seen doesn't it? The administration those busy little bees are planning to retrofit this flying behemoth for official presidential duties. All this reminds me of Isildur taking the ring for himself. Hubris it seems is timeless.

Legal Eagles Circle the Skies

Now this 'lavish gift,' as they call it has roused the legal scholars from their slumber. Questions like orcs from Mordor are emerging from the depths. Is it permissible? Is it ethical? A fine mess indeed! 'Fool of a Took!' I almost shouted at the news of it. Though I suspect even Pippin Took could see the potential pitfalls here.

Pricey as a Dragon's Hoard

Let us not forget the price of such a trinket! A brand new Boeing 747 800 costs roughly $400 million according to data from 2019. That's a sum that would make even the dwarves of Erebor pause. 'All that is gold does not glitter,' Tolkien once wrote and I daresay all that is expensive is not necessarily prudent.

Boeing's Troubles Multiply

Ah Boeing the purveyors of these metal birds! They seem to be in a bit of a pickle. Trump in his first term struck a deal to modernize two Boeing 747s. But alas! The fixed price contract has ballooned over $2 billion amid repeated delays. The planes may not be completed until at least 2027! Trump understandably expressed his frustration. I can almost hear him saying 'You shall not pass!' to those delays.

A Musk eteer to the Rescue?

And what's this? Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has enlisted the aid of one Elon Musk a 'DOGE lead' and key Trump ally! They hope to deliver the planes sooner. It seems the wheels of bureaucracy turn as slowly as Ents pondering the fate of the forests. It's a long road that's for sure but perhaps there's hope yet. Though I wouldn't bet my wizard's hat on it.