The iconic white and blue livery of Air Force One, unchanged since the Kennedy administration, is being replaced with a new color scheme featuring gold, deep red, and navy blue—a palette personally favored by President Donald Trump. The comprehensive repainting initiative extends beyond the primary presidential aircraft to include the entire executive fleet.
According to U.S. Air Force officials, the new color specifications are being implemented as aircraft undergo scheduled maintenance and repairs. The transformation affects multiple aircraft: the current Boeing VC-25B used for presidential transport, four C-32 jets typically designated as “Air Force Two” for vice-presidential travel, and a new Boeing 747-8i luxury aircraft donated to the presidential fleet by Qatar.
The aesthetic shift reflects President Trump’s longstanding preference for gold accents, evident in his hotels and White House decor decisions. During his 2024 campaign, his private aircraft—sometimes referred to as “Trump Force One”—already showcased this distinctive color combination.
The Air Force emphasized in an official statement that the new paint requirements are “not expected to result in additional delays or costs to the program.” Painting has already been completed on one of the C-32 aircraft, with preparations for retrofitting the Qatari-donated jumbo jet—valued at approximately $400 million—beginning last summer.
While President Joe Biden canceled broader fleet modernization plans initiated during Trump’s first term, the color transformation represents a continued aesthetic imprint of the current administration on presidential symbols and infrastructure.