The report details $464 million in no-bid agreements for 5 planes signed on Noem's last day in office with Daedalus Aviation Corp., led by William Walters. One aircraft is a $108 million Boeing 737 modified into a luxury jet with marble showers and a stand-up bar. While the Department of Homeland Security intended to use the fleet to transport deportees, agency records indicate the aircraft have remained largely idle.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Kristi Noem Demands NYT Retraction Over $464 Million Jet Deal
US Politics15 days ago
Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is challenging a New York Times story that linked government aircraft procurement to her own political fundraisers. Noem formally requested that the publication retract or correct the article, calling the report "libelous" and "materially misleading." She disputes the characterization of the contractor as a personal "donor," stating the claims of a direct financial relationship intended to influence official action are unsupported by the factual record.
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