MEDORA, North Dakota: President Donald Trump is traveling to North Dakota on Wednesday to dedicate a museum honoring Theodore Roosevelt, invoking the Republican president’s legacy as he promotes a message of American greatness ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.
The visit comes as Trump has embraced celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, using them to highlight his leadership and vision for the country ahead of November’s midterm elections.
The trip to Medora in western North Dakota is expected to mark the debut of a refurbished Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar that will serve as Air Force One, featuring a red, white, dark blue and gold paint scheme selected by Trump.
The plane has drawn scrutiny due to the cost and rapid pace of renovations, as well as the unusual acceptance of a luxury jumbo jet from a foreign country. Trump has dismissed criticism of the arrangement, and the Air Force has said the plane is up to presidential standards.
Before boarding the inaugural flight on Wednesday, Trump told reporters that Qatar “treated us very well” and that the Qatari leader contributing the plane was “very nice.”
