Kristi Noem’s Disputed $70M Luxury Jet Now Serving Melania Trump

The Trump administration will retain a $70 million luxury Boeing 737 jet previously associated with former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, with First Lady Melania Trump among those granted access to the aircraft.

The aircraft, which has been the subject of significant political scrutiny, will remain under the purview of the administration for personal and official use. Reports indicate that the jet, which was leased during Noem’s tenure at the Department of Homeland Security, is now being repurposed for the First Lady’s use.

DHS Procurement and Scrutiny

The acquisition of the aircraft is part of a larger procurement effort by the Department of Homeland Security. The agency spent more than $300 million on three private luxury jets, including two Gulfstream G700s purchased in October and the Boeing 737, which has been nicknamed the Big Beautiful Jet.

The Boeing 737 was initially leased, but Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sought approval from the White House’s Office of Management and Budget to purchase the aircraft permanently. The procurement of these six aircraft for ICE has faced opposition from Democratic lawmakers.

On March 4, 2026, Newsweek reported that the DHS was facing scrutiny over the luxury jet. Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy requested a review by the Government Accountability Office to determine if the DHS possessed the legal authority and funding to purchase the six aircraft for ICE.

more than 40 House Democrats urged the White House to block the purchase of the aircraft, while members of the Senate Judiciary Committee questioned Secretary Noem regarding the nature of the jet.

Aircraft Specifications and Controversy

The controversy surrounding the $70 million jet centers on its high-end amenities, which critics argue are inappropriate for taxpayer-funded government travel. According to images obtained by NBC News, the luxury executive jet includes:

• A bedroom featuring a queen-size bed
• Showers
• A kitchen
• A bar
• Four large flat-screen televisions

During a Senate oversight hearing, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island questioned Kristi Noem about these amenities and the use of taxpayer funds to finance the aircraft. Noem responded by stating she had only used the plane once and disputed that the circulating images accurately represented the aircraft the DHS was acquiring.

Current Status and Administration Use

Despite the legislative pushback and scrutiny over the cost and luxury of the aircraft, the Trump administration has decided to keep the jet in service. The Wall Street Journal reported that Melania Trump has been granted access to the aircraft, ensuring the $70 million asset remains a resource for the administration’s inner circle.

The jet was intended by the DHS for a combination of Cabinet-level travel and immigrant deportation flights, though its repurposed use for the First Lady highlights the shift in the aircraft’s primary utility.