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Air Force One to Receive Trump‑Preferred Red, White, Gold, Dark‑Blue Livery

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Trump‑Preferred Livery Approved After Reversal On 17 February 2026 the Air Force announced it will paint the new VC‑25B aircraft in the red, white, gold and dark‑blue scheme championed by former President Donald Trump, overturning the Biden administration’s earlier decision to retain the traditional palette [1]. The approval follows a formal review that concluded the colors meet operational standards despite earlier concerns. The move signals a high‑profile visual shift for the presidential fleet [1].

Two New VC‑25B Jets and Qatar Gift Included The repaint program covers the two freshly built VC‑25B Boeing 747s slated for delivery later in 2026 [1]. It also includes a 747 donated by Qatar, which Trump ordered retrofitted to the new livery; the Qatari jet could enter service as early as the summer of 2026 [1]. This addition expands the presidential air fleet beyond the standard two aircraft [1].

Four C‑32 Fleet Members Scheduled for Repaint All four C‑32 aircraft—military Boeing 757s used for shorter trips—will receive the Trump‑favored colors during routine maintenance cycles [1]. The first C‑32 has already been completed and is expected to be delivered to the Air Force in the coming months [1]. The repaint of these smaller jets ensures visual consistency across the entire presidential fleet [1].

Historical Context of Baby‑Blue Livery Since the Kennedy administration, Air Force One has displayed a baby‑blue and white paint scheme, a look that became iconic [1]. In 2022 the Biden administration rejected Trump’s darker colors, citing potential overheating of components and higher costs [1]. Renderings released in 2023 showed a design resembling the historic palette before the latest reversal [1].

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Timeline

1960s (Kennedy era) – Air Force One adopts a baby‑blue and white livery, establishing a visual identity that endures for decades and later becomes the target of Trump‑favored color changes. [1]

2022 – The Biden administration rejects Trump’s proposed red, white, gold, dark‑blue paint scheme, warning that darker shades could overheat components and raise costs. [1]

2023 – New renderings reveal a Biden‑selected livery that mirrors the traditional baby‑blue look, signaling a brief return to the historic palette before the 2026 reversal. [1]

Early 2025 – Congress allocates a historic infusion of funds to DHS for a fleet of Boeing 737 jets to support a mass‑deportation agenda and senior‑official travel. [2]

Jan – Oct 2025 – ICE conducts 1,701 removal flights to a record 77 countries, raising deportations to over 605,000 since President Trump’s inauguration in January. [2]

Dec 2025 (weekend) – DHS unveils a Boeing 737 painted in a deep red stripe, dark‑blue underbelly and American‑flag tail, mirroring Trump’s proposed Air Force One livery; the aircraft previously wore a grey‑gold scheme. [2]

Dec 2025 – Flight‑tracking data show the repainted DHS 737 stopping in Ardmore, Oklahoma, and Lake Charles, Louisiana before arriving at Reagan National Airport, linking the repaint to work by Landlocked Aviation. [2]

Dec 2025 – DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin states the new 737 “cuts ICE flight costs by 40%,” promising taxpayer savings of hundreds of millions of dollars. [2]

Feb 17, 2026 – The Air Force approves Trump‑preferred red, white, gold, dark‑blue livery for the new VC‑25B aircraft, overturning the 2022 Biden rejection and aligning the presidential fleet with the former president’s aesthetic. [1]

Feb 2026 – The repaint program includes two freshly built VC‑25B 747s and a Qatar‑donated 747; the Qatar jet is slated to become operational as early as summer 2026. [1]

Feb 2026 – Four C‑32 (military Boeing 757) aircraft begin receiving the Trump scheme during maintenance; the first is completed and slated for Air Force delivery in the coming months. [1]

Summer 2026 (expected) – The Qatar‑donated 747, retrofitted to the Trump livery, becomes operational, expanding the presidential fleet’s capacity under the new color scheme. [1]

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