Trump orders new paint scheme for Air Force One, presidential fleet

The US Air Force's presidential and VIP aircraft fleet will undergo a dramatic visual transformation at President Donald Trump's direction, replacing the iconic light blue and white color scheme used since the Kennedy administration with dark navy, deep red, and gold tones, CBS News reported Tuesday.

A New Look for the Nation's Aircraft

The redesign affects all aircraft used to transport the president and other senior officials, including the Boeing 747s known as Air Force One when the president is aboard, as well as smaller C-32 planes that carry Cabinet members and high-ranking dignitaries. Officials confirmed that aircraft currently bearing the historic blue and white livery will be repainted during routine maintenance and repair periods, ensuring the transition occurs without disrupting operational schedules.

End of the Kennedy-Era Design

The outgoing color scheme, first introduced during President John F. Kennedy's administration, has been a recognizable symbol of the American presidency for more than six decades. The light blue and white palette was originally selected by Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline, who worked with industrial designer Raymond Loewy to create a distinctive and elegant look for the nation's first dedicated presidential jet. The new color palette aligns with Trump's well-documented preferences for bold, patriotic color schemes, echoing design elements seen on his personal aircraft and properties.

Practical and Symbolic Implications

While the aesthetic change carries symbolic weight, reflecting a president's desire to leave his visual imprint on the office's most recognizable symbols, officials emphasized the repainting will occur within existing maintenance cycles to avoid additional costs or operational delays. The updated design will gradually appear on the fleet over the coming months as aircraft enter scheduled maintenance, eventually giving the presidential air fleet a distinctly different appearance from the familiar blue and white that has represented American air power and presidential travel since the early 1960s.