Donald Trump would “absolutely” change the colors of Air Force One to his favorite dark blue and red, even if it would have dangerous side effects for the presidential plane, according to a new report on Tuesday.
A former White House official said Politics that Trump is “absolutely, 100 percent” convinced that Trump will change the plane’s light blue and white color scheme to a design similar to that of his private jet, Trump Force One.
Trump made a big splash over his plan to change the livery of the iconic presidential plane to one he liked better.
The administration contracted with Boeing for two new 747-8s during his tenure to replace existing presidential planes. Then-President Trump boasted of his negotiating skills with the company, saying he was saving taxpayers money.
He was so proud of his plan that he kept a model of the new Air Force One — painted dark blue, dark red and pure white — on the coffee table in the Oval Office, where it appeared in countless photographs during his time in office.
He later took it with him when he left the White House and put it on display at his Palm Beach home, Mar-a-Lago.
Then-President Trump with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, seen with Trump’s design for Air Force One – in the Oval Office in June 2019
But when Joe Biden became president, he reversed Trump’s plans for the plane and returned it to its classic light blue and white color scheme, the colors originally chosen by Jackie Kennedy.
However, Boeing is still working on the two new aircraft, which are expected to be delivered in 2026 and 2027. That is years too late and much too late for the company.
But the delay means that if Trump takes power in November, he still has time to change the plane’s livery to his own liking.
Trump’s original plan for the two planes called for the underside of the plane and the engine compartment to be painted dark blue.
But that would lead to excessively high temperatures in the aircraft, which would require modifications to cool some of its components.
Boeing would have to pay for the repairs out of its own pocket.
The Biden administration said it changed the colors back to the original colors to avoid the problem.
The former official said he expects Trump to change the colors back because the former president is so proud of the design change.
“The model was on the coffee table in the Oval Office and he pointed it out several times to foreign and domestic visitors,” the person said. Politics“He felt that the red, white and blue was more symbolic of America and strength.”
The mockup of Donald Trump’s proposed overhaul of Air Force One’s paint scheme once displayed on a coffee table in the Oval Office lobby at Mar-A-Lago
Trump unveiled his new design in 2019.
The new color scheme resembled the color scheme of Trump’s own Boeing 757, which was dubbed “Trump Force One.”
The presidential plane is essentially a flying White House.
It contains secret communication equipment that allows the president to communicate with the outside world at all times, as well as special items such as an operating room.
Unlike a normal 747, the aircraft has its own retractable stairs, for the rear entrance and the front entrance. And its own baggage handler, so it can be completely self-serviced if necessary.
The aircraft also has an in-flight refueling system, allowing it to remain in the air indefinitely.
President Joe Biden changed Trump’s color scheme back to the classic blue and white
Jackie Kennedy, then the first lady, worked with an industrial designer to create the look and feel of the jets flown by the last 11 presidents
Trump’s personal Boeing 757, dubbed ‘Trump Force One,’ has a similar color scheme to what he wants for the new Air Force One
The aircraft had not been upgraded for years, which led to the contract with Boeing.
Trump’s deal had a fixed price of $3.9 billion, with Boeing footing the bill for any design changes or cost increases.
The program is already more than $2 billion over budget.
Boeing blamed the COVID pandemic and supply chain issues for the delays, as well as problems with contractors.
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said in 2022 that the company should have rejected Trump’s terms for building the planes.