Having a friend in the Oval Office might not fix everything, but it can definitely help when needed. While Tesla recently caught a break with Trump’s proposed tariffs on April 2 being softer than expected — boosting Tesla stock — along with his public support, Boeing now looks set to push the limits of political influence.        

According to The Wall Street Journal, the company expects a more lenient stance from the newly reshaped Justice Department under the Trump administration. As a result, Boeing is reportedly considering withdrawing its guilty plea in the fraud case related to two fatal plane crashes.  

Avoiding a criminal conviction would be a sea change for Boeing, which is still reeling from the Alaska Airlines standoff in January and desperate to regain trust. A clean slate would not only help salvage its reputation, it would also make it easier for Boeing to win government contracts.    

But it's worth noting that things are already looking up for the company. First, Boeing won the contract for the U.S. Air Force's estimated $20 billion next-generation fighter jet. Over the course of the program, the company will receive orders worth hundreds of billions of dollars.       

In addition, Japan Airlines recently announced an order for 17 new Boeing 737-8s, adding to an earlier order for 21 placed in March 2023, while Boeing's CFO confirmed that first quarter deliveries are “largely on track” and expects to maintain its target of producing 38 Boeing 737 Max aircraft per month.      

Finally, the U.S. Navy is expected to announce the winner of its Next-Generation Air Dominance program this week, a contract valued at hundreds of billions of dollars over its lifetime. The chosen manufacturer will replace the Navy's aging fleet of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets with a new stealth fighter.      

Is Boeing's losing streak over?  

Winning two major fighter jet contracts could significantly improve Boeing's financial situation. The question is whether the company can increase raw material sourcing amid rising geopolitical tensions with China while addressing its safety and manufacturing issues.   

Otherwise, the current optimism could fade just as quickly. That said, it's worth noting that during Trump's first term - despite the COVID-19 pandemic - stocks were up more than 40%. Since he took office for the second time, they are up about 4% so far. If history repeats itself, there could be a long run ahead.