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The Johnsons, who own the site, say staff responded to the incident “within minutes”.

On a daily basis, Donald Trump says all kinds of offensive things, but during remarks at Joint Base Andrews two weeks ago, he said something that nearly everyone could agree with. Unveiling the latest Air Force One, a luxury jet he received from Qatar, Trump said, “A normal president wouldn’t do this.”

Unlike so many of the Republican’s public comments, this had the benefit of being entirely true: A normal president most certainly would not have accepted a luxury jet from Qatar — a Middle Eastern country that Trump used to accuse of supporting terrorism — which he apparently intends to “donate” to his presidential library after leaving the White House. (Since receiving the plane, the president and his administration have cozied up to Qatar to a remarkable degree, even unilaterally extending a NATO-like security guarantee to the nation.)

On Wednesday, the president took his first flight on the plane, but before boarding, he took a little time to talk to reporters, one of whom asked how much it cost American taxpayers to upgrade the jet.

Q: How much did it cost American taxpayers to upgrade the plane?TRUMP: It cost very little relative to what it would cost if we did it a different way. This was a gift from a country that’s treated us very well.

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-07-01T12:39:48.770Z

“Well, it cost very little relative to what it would cost if we did it a different way,” Trump responded cryptically. He added, “Frankly, we couldn’t build a plane like this.”

I’m not sure who counts as “we,” but the jet was built by Boeing, which is an American company that built the plane on American soil.

As for the question the president apparently didn’t want to answer, The New Republic noted, “The jet — one of the largest presidential gifts ever — is valued at $400 million. The Air Force said it spent around $400 million on renovating the plane, changing the cabin layout, communications system, and security upgrades. That doesn’t account for the taxpayer-funded, continued maintenance of the plane, either.”

Trump on his new Qatari plane: “The country is very proud of it. And you can do two things — you can low key it, or you can show it. And I think the country should be very proud of it.”

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-07-01T12:36:20.141Z

As part of the same Q&A, Trump boasted of the plane, “The country is very proud of it.” It’s not at all clear how he arrived at this conclusion, as there’s no publicly available survey data to suggest this project enjoys broad public support.

As for the near future, MS NOW reported, “The jet is meant to serve as a ‘bridge,’ easing the strain on aging aircraft until two purpose-built planes enter service in 2028, the administration official and the Air Force spokesperson said.”

The post Trump’s rhetoric about the Air Force One gifted by Qatar takes a weird turn appeared first on MS NOW.

Missy Elliott is part of the 2026 Essence Festival of Culture lineup. Don’t miss out—tickets here: Get Tickets

“I was always just different,” reflected Missy Elliott to Brooklyn White in her 2023 ESSENCE cover interview. Despite her alternative approach to beauty, “I never even thought, ‘let me try to do the most outlandish thing.’ That never crossed my mind, ever,” Elliott, who will be not honored at our Black Women In Music Luncheon this Sunday during Essence Festival, but she will also be performing, and curating a special tribute to Aaliyah, at the Superdome that night.

Elliott has long had an influence in beauty, especially in the music industry, without even trying. Songwriting and producing for artists like Aaliyah, SWV, and Total, Elliott began her solo career in 1996 with her debut studio album Supa Dupa Fly (which could be said about her beauty looks) releasing the following year. At the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards, she accepted three awards (for Breakthrough Video, Rap Video, and Direction) in short, gel-drenched curls, a red lip that complimented her purple shadow, and metallic silver nails. 

But, that was just the beginning. As time went on, she became known for her marcel curls which were replaced by micro braids in the 2000s (like at the 30th Annual American Music Awards), while her eyeshadow temporarily turned neutral with her lash-focused looks (see: her 2006 portrait series). By the 2010s, she experimented with her look more than ever before, turning to black lipstick on BET’s “106 and Park” in 2013 and eye-covering, rockstar-approved bangs in 2016-17.

More recently, her maximalist beauty has evolved from hair-centric to nails and makeup heavy. She’s often seen in bedazzled acrylics, extra-long eyelash extensions, and dual-toned shadows fit for the most extravagant performances like the 2023 Lovers & Friends Festival. As for a standout moment this year? The icon rocked an auburn-toned, wavy side ponytail and major blush to the Louis Vuitton Men’s Week show in Paris last month.

With that, we can’t wait to see what looks she’ll pull this festival weekend. In anticipation, below, we’re looking back at Missy Elliott’s most era-defining beauty moments.

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

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The actress, presenter and food writer says she had a ‘big op’ but was ‘feeling so much better’.

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