Trump uses former Jeffrey Epstein jet after emergency landing

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Trump uses former Jeffrey Epstein jet after emergency landing

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View from the Wing | View from the Wing

By Sky Industry News

Aug 12, 2024

After former President Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, he no longer had access to Air Force One, and his private Boeing 757 fell into disrepair. Observers noted that his readiness to run again could be gauged by the status of this aircraft, known for its gold-plated fittings.

When Trump announced his candidacy for President seven years ago, he claimed a net worth of $10 billion, though self-reported election filings suggested it was closer to one-eighth of that amount. Despite this discrepancy, he solicited small donors to fund repairs on the plane, registration N757AF, which had been stored at Newburgh-Stewart airport in New York.

Last week, Trump's 757 made an emergency landing while en route to a fundraiser. The campaign has since continued using a Gulfstream G550.

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Watts Brooks tweeted on August 10: "Former President Donald Trump landing in a Gulfstream G550 in Aspen for a campaign fundraiser event! Interestingly they put Trump 2024 on the left side."

Reports confirmed that this Gulfstream G550 was formerly owned by Jeffrey Epstein. Will Guisbond tweeted on August 11: ".@theaircurrent can confirm reports that the @GulfstreamAero G550 that former President Trump has been using to travel for campaign events was formerly owned by Jeffrey Epstein. The aircraft is now owned and operated by Threshold Aviation Group."

The same day, bizjets101 added: "That's Jeffery Epstein's old plane – the one he was arrested on when he stepped off of at Teterboro – only to later die in jail. Gulfstream G550 serial 5173 ex N212JE of Jeffery Epstein – still in his Blue Livery .. now N550GP."

The aircraft is a 16-passenger model from 2008 acquired by Epstein in 2013 and primarily used for flights between Palm Beach, Manhattan, Paris, and the US Virgin Islands. Although it was not the infamous 'Lolita Express,' an older Boeing 727 used by Epstein before his final arrest and death, its history remains controversial.

The decision to use this particular aircraft has raised questions about vetting within Trump's campaign due to both Epstein’s criminal history and Trump's past associations with him. Nonetheless, some argue that continued market use of such assets might indirectly benefit Epstein’s victims through sales proceeds.