Karoline Leavitt posted several photos from President Donald Trump’s newly introduced Air Force One during its first trip in the air, but online viewers quickly fixated on one background detail the White House may not have wanted attracting so much attention.
The 28-year-old press secretary, who has recently returned from maternity leave, shared three images from aboard the aircraft after its debut flight on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
“What a privilege to be aboard the inaugural flight on the brand new Air Force One! A truly unforgettable day,”
The aircraft, a Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar and now being used as a temporary presidential plane, has been styled with a distinctly presidential look. Inside, it features white-grain leather table trim, cushions stitched with the presidential seal, and framed images of famous Washington locations throughout the cabin. It is serving as a bridge aircraft while Boeing continues work on the long-delayed next-generation presidential jets.
Before getting on board, Trump spoke enthusiastically to reporters about the flight. The jet is expected to serve in the meantime while a permanent replacement is developed over the next couple of years.
What a privilege to be aboard the inaugural flight on the brand new Air Force One! A truly unforgettable day. ✈️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/0vGswnULwK
— Karoline Leavitt (@karolineleavitt) July 2, 2026
“I’m excited about the first flight,” he said. “They just completed it. They made it appropriate for a president, that means the security and all of the different bells and whistles they put on. Very complex now, but it’s really quite something.”
But while the luxury touches were clearly meant to stand out, social media users were more interested in something else visible in one of the photos.
A television displaying the presidential seal can be seen positioned in front of a shelf filled with matching hardback books. Several of the spines appear to be labeled simply “Library,” with no author names, publishers, or identifiable titles in sight.
After the photo started circulating online, many people mocked the unusual-looking collection. Some pointed out that multiple copies seemed to be arranged in matching pairs and sets, while others joked that the books looked more decorative than readable.
“Of course a plane full of people who have never read a book has a bookshelf of fake books with titles like ‘Library’,” one person wrote on X, while another joked, “Volume III of the Library is a real nail-biter.”
A third summed up the general mood, writing that the shelf was “a perfect representation of the Trump administration… all show and no substance.”
The plane’s launch follows months of criticism over the gift from Doha. Opponents have argued that Qatar may be trying to gain influence with the president, while others have questioned the need for the aircraft given that the Air Force is already pursuing separate replacement jets worth billions.
Trump has rejected those concerns and has argued the aircraft is an exceptional deal.
“Frankly, we couldn’t build a plane like this because we wouldn’t be willing to spend the kind of money necessary. They spent top dollars,” he said.
When the official replacement aircraft are finished, the plane gifted by Qatar is expected to be moved to the Trump Presidential Library in Miami. Earlier renderings suggested it would eventually be placed on permanent display there.
The White House has been contacted for comment.