Air Force One Gets a Trump-Era Makeover: Gold, Red, White, and Blue

The U.S. Air Force is repainting Air Force One and other aircraft in the presidential and executive fleet with a color scheme favored by former President Donald Trump – red, white, dark blue, and gold – replacing the iconic light blue and white design used for over six decades.

A Return to a Previously Proposed Design

The new design revives elements of a scheme proposed during Trump’s first term (2017-2021) but scrapped in 2022 due to concerns about overheating. According to the Air Force, darker colors on the underside of the VC-25B aircraft (the military designation for Air Force One) could have caused temperatures to exceed qualification limits for some components [USAToday]. The Biden administration had proposed a slightly darker shade of the traditional baby blue livery, but that has now been superseded.

Expanding Beyond Air Force One

The redesign isn’t limited to the two new Boeing 747-8i aircraft currently being converted to serve as the next generation of Air Force One. The new livery will also be applied to four modified Boeing 757-200s used to transport the Vice President, cabinet members, and other senior government officials [Fox News]. A Boeing 747 donated by Qatar and undergoing upgrades for presidential use will also receive the new paint job [CNN].

A Nod to Trump’s Aesthetic

The return to Trump’s preferred color scheme aligns with his broader aesthetic preferences, which include incorporating gold into the White House décor. Gold-plated objects have been added to shelves, fireplaces, and fixtures, mirroring the style of his Mar-a-Lago residence [Freep].

Program Delays and Costs

The Air Force One program has faced delays and cost overruns since Boeing agreed to a $3.9 billion fixed-price contract in 2018. Delivery of the two modified 747-8s is now expected in 2028 [USAToday]. As a temporary solution, the U.S. Government is utilizing a Boeing 747 formerly used by the Qatari government, which is being overhauled by L3Harris Technologies.