President-elect Donald Trump threatened to cancel Boeing's order for the new Air Force One in a Tuesday morning tweet, citing high costs.
In a surprise appearance in front of reporters at Trump Tower after sending the social media message, Trump expanded on his latest target for negotiation.
"Well, the plane is totally out of control. It's gonna be over 4 billion dollars ... and, I think it's ridiculous. I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number," Trump said. "We want Boeing to make a lot of money but not that much money."
When asked about Trump's tweet, a spokesman for Boeing told the AP, "We are going to have to get back to you after we figure out what's going on."
Later, Boeing issued a statement regarding the Air Force One program.
"We are currently under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of these complex military aircraft that serves the unique requirements of the President of the United States. We look forward to working with the US Air Force on subsequent phases of the program allowing us to deliver the best planes for the President at the best value for the American taxpayer," the statement read.
It's not clear what prompted Trump to threaten the aircraft manufacturer with the cancellation of its government contract. Following his tweet, Boeing stocks slid by more than 1 percent in premarket trade, according to CNBC.
Before the tweet, stocks were trading at $152.16. Shares fell to a low of $149.75 immediately after the tweet, approximately a $1.48 billion hit to Boeing's market cap — not a large impact relative to Boeing's overall market cap, but a dip nonetheless. Shares came back some since Trump tweeted, and opened at $150.85.
Trump formerly owned stock in Boeing, spokesman Jason Miller said on a transition call Tuesday, but sold it in June 2016 along with all other stocks he held.
Miller did not answer directly how Trump knew the price of the new Air Force One, but according to the latest figures, Trump is correct about the $4 billion price tag. Research and development is already at $2.7 billion for first two years, a number that is already budgeted and approved, and the Government Accountability Office warned last year that the cost would be approximately $3.2 billion. By the time the aircraft is delivered, the total cost will be over $4 billion, because the government still has to buy the two aircraft once they are built.
Air Force One is so much more expensive than commercial planes because of the communications package and air defense measures. Boeing was the only choice for the build because it's an American company and they have the only four-engine aircraft, a necessity because of the weight.
Keeping the old Air Force One is an option, but not an ideal one. The plane has a lifespan of about 30 years, and the current ones are in their late 20s. As the planes age, safety becomes a concern while maintenance and other costs increase.
Exactly how Trump will take on the price of the plane, Miller said, "We can get into that more after the president-elect is sworn in on January 20."
In 2009, President Obama canceled Lockheed's order for a new Marine One, a 23-helicopter program with ballooning costs.
"The helicopter I have now seems perfectly adequate to me," President Obama said at the time.