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Palm Beach Today
By the People, for the People
Air Force One to Get Red, White and Blue Makeover
The U.S. military says a new color scheme championed by former President Trump will become the look for the presidential jet.
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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The U.S. military announced that Air Force One will be painted in a red, white, gold and dark blue color scheme, replacing the iconic Kennedy-era blue-and-white design. The new look was championed by former President Donald Trump, who had previously directed the planes to have a white-and-navy color scheme with a dark red streak. The Air Force said the updated paint job will be applied to the two new Boeing 747-800 aircraft that are slated to replace the existing fleet of aging Boeing 747-200 aircraft.
Why it matters
The color scheme change for Air Force One is a symbolic move that reflects the political preferences of the former president. While the current blue-and-white design has been in use since the Kennedy administration, Trump had pushed for a more patriotic red, white and blue look that he felt better represented American power. The decision to move forward with Trump's preferred color scheme is seen by some as a continuation of his legacy, even under a new administration.
The details
The Air Force said the new 'red, white, gold and dark blue paint scheme' will be applied to the two new Boeing 747-800 aircraft that are replacing the existing fleet of Boeing 747-200s that currently serve as Air Force One. In 2018, Trump had directed the planes to have a white-and-navy color scheme with a dark red streak, but that plan was reversed by President Biden in 2023 due to concerns about increased costs and delivery delays. The Air Force is also planning to paint a third 747-8i Boeing jet in the same red, white and blue colors.
- In 2018, Trump directed that the new Air Force One jets would have a white-and-navy color scheme.
- In March 2023, President Biden reversed Trump's 2018 decision.
- In February 2026, the U.S. military announced the new red, white, gold and dark blue color scheme for Air Force One.
The players
Donald Trump
The former President of the United States who championed the red, white and blue color scheme for Air Force One.
Joe Biden
The current President of the United States who reversed Trump's 2018 decision to change the Air Force One color scheme.
U.S. Air Force
The branch of the U.S. military that announced the new red, white, gold and dark blue color scheme for Air Force One.
Boeing
The aerospace company that is modifying two 747-800 aircraft to replace the existing Air Force One fleet.
What they’re saying
“Everything has its time and place. We'll be changing the colors.”
— Donald Trump, Former President (sfgate.com)
What’s next
The Air Force said the new red, white, gold and dark blue color scheme will be applied to the two new Boeing 747-800 aircraft that are replacing the existing Air Force One fleet, as well as a third 747-8i Boeing jet.
The takeaway
The decision to update the iconic Air Force One color scheme reflects the political preferences of the former president, even as a new administration takes over. While the blue-and-white design has been in use for decades, the shift to a more patriotic red, white and blue look is seen by some as a continuation of Trump's legacy on the national stage.
