The U.S. Air Force has announced plans to repaint Air Force One along with other aircraft in the presidential and executive fleet to align with President Donald Trump’s preferred color scheme. The new design, which includes red, white, and a darker shade of blue, will replace the iconic light blue and white paint scheme that has been a hallmark of the aircraft for over sixty years. An additional gold stripe will be included, signifying a shift in the visual identity of these important national symbols.

This redesign will also be applied across the entire executive airlift fleet, incorporating various aircraft such as the newly donated Qatari 747-8i and two Boeing VC-25B jets currently being updated to function as the next generation of Air Force One. The changes were confirmed by an Air Force spokesperson, indicating that the new paint scheme will officially be implemented across all aircraft in the fleet. This move comes amid broader discussions regarding the image and branding of the presidential office under Trump's administration.

The adoption of Trump’s preferred color palette signifies not merely an aesthetic change, but also a shift in the symbolic representation of American leadership and values. This change can lead to new perceptions both domestically and internationally, reinforcing the administration's desire to create a distinct, patriotic image through its symbolic vehicles. The elimination of the previous design, associated heavily with the Kennedy era, suggests a conscious attempt to redefine the identity of Air Force One in line with current leadership's branding and values.