Air Force One is arguably the most iconic plane in the world. I would argue that its timeless, mid-century design has something to do with that. Jackie Kennedy was the one to redesign Air Force One stylistically, working with American designer Raymond Loewy on the color scheme and font for the outer script. No president or FLOTUS has ever touched Kennedy and Loewy’s outward design, although of course subsequent presidents and FLOTUSes have put their own marks on the plane’s interiors. Well, Donald Trump can’t help himself: he wants a new Air Force One and he wants it to look less iconic and beautiful.
President Trump wants to update the paint job on the next version of Air Force One, ditching the iconic robin’s-egg blue (which he calls a “Jackie Kennedy color”) for a bolder, “more American” look. Trump rarely gets into the weeds of government negotiations. But he sat down in the Oval Office with Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg in February to personally hammer out the $4 billion deal for a pair of replacement 747s for use as Air Force One (the call sign for whatever aircraft the president is on).
Axios has learned that Trump had one specification for the plane that could cause tension with the Air Force and surprise around the world: Trump wants to change the plane’s signature blue-and-white look that goes back 55 years, to a redesign of the presidential aircraft by President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy in the early 1960s. We’re told that Trump wants a color scheme that “looks more American” and isn’t a “Jackie Kennedy color.” He doesn’t think the current blue (technically “luminous ultramarine”) represents the USA. The president’s preferred design is believed to include red, white and blue.
“He can do it,” said a source familiar with the negotiations, when asked about whether Trump can make the change. But the change could cause friction with the Air Force. We’re told some top officers like the current look, which they point out is “known around the world.”
Again, the actual physical plane gets replaced and upgraded every few years and each president puts their own mark on the interior. But no president has ever dared to touch Jackie Kennedy’s design, because why would they? It’s beautiful, those two shades of blue and the font used for “United States of America.” It’s gorgeous and classic. Trump doesn’t have good taste AT ALL. He’ll redesign the exterior to look like a gold-plated eagle surrounded by vaguely Russian-looking flags.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Aren’t there better things to spend tax money on?
Trump’s flying Taj Mahal, probs with one-armed bandits. https://www.oyster.com/atlantic-city/hotels/the-trump-taj-mahal/
I’ll take Jackie O over gold-plated Versailles. Jackie stood the test of time, I think Louis and Marie went to the guillotine.
We should know by now that Cheeto Mussolini doesn’t give a sh@t about history or how iconic and timeless Air Force one is.
He wants it to look more “American” because, as Bob Dylan so artfully said,”patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings.”
Ha. That’s such a great quote.
I thought that it was Dr Samuel Johnson who said that, “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel”
But we want everyone else to come pay their share! Priorities!
I saw AFOne land one time, and it was far more magnificient than I could have imagined. The beautiful blue design against a sunny sky, the size of the aircraft…I cannot imagine what garish design awaits us.
Whaf else can be redesigned in the next two years? Last year was tackying up the WH.
I’m surprised he hasn’t had tall, gold, TRUMP letters standing across the WH roof. He loves to see his name everywhere
He probably tried to get his wives to tattoo his name above their hoo has.
He just wants to slap his foul name on it or turn it into a gawdy eyesore.
Ugh!
Too true, Wood Dragon. Trumpelstiltskin wants his very own flying bordello. I’m not American, but, god, I loathe this twat so much, and cannot wait for him to be gone or to, you know, expire.
Sure buddy, put your energy into paint swatches for planes and just skip NATO before you burn half a century of stability to the ground.
I guess he thinks it’s not “manly” enough… :/
It’s a great distraction a perfect talking point for a deplorable’s Facebook, though… Trump really knows how to be a populist, unfortunately
He wants to change Air Force One? That does it! Between the horror he pulled out of his a$$ at NATO, worry about what he will do in England, and sadness that he might change the plane to a golden eyesore, I’m done. Seriously, I’m getting a migraine and I’m going back to bed. My doctor calls a lot of her patients’ headaches TIMs. Trump Induced Migraines.
Trump needs to stop using JFK’s Resolute desk.
Am surprised he doesn’t paint it gold and emblaze his name all over it given he likes to put his name on everything.
It must fall him that Jackie and JFK are the most famous US President and First Lady. The Kennedy family are basically royalty, something the Trumps will never ever be. The Trump name will go down in history the same way Hitler and Stalin did.
Is it possible to spray tan a jet??
So he wants to make it tacky is what they’re saying.
The current design is gorgeous. I’ve only seen it once “in the paint” and it is the manifestation of “iconic”. Also I hope they stick with the Boeing 747 for a while yet, too. That’s still one of the prettiest planes in service.
I would be shocked if they ever went with a foreign-built plane, so Boeing is the only game in town, and the 747 is the only one with enough room for what is needed.
My dad worked helped build the current planes back in the day. I have a commemorative mug on my desk that has the Boeing logo along with the presidential seal. It’s super cool.
F*ck, I just googled his own plane and I think he wants it to look just like his own, navy blue on top with a red band below that and white underneath. Of course his name on the blue top in giant white letters. Is there no end to this crap, this really makes me sick. Would someone tell him its not his actual plane? Sorry I can’t link I’m on my phone.
During the campaign, he called it Trump Force One
Of course. My god, everything this man touches turns to shit…
I’ve seen Air Force One up close and personal many, many times.
No, I’m not a porn star.
I’m retired USAF.
The last time I saw it was when President O. made another stop near here.
It’s historic. It’s, “pretty”, but It IS dated and looks a little wimpy.
It could use a touch-up, however, I effin hate Trump (surprised much?) and he does have horrible taste AND there are better things on which to spend the money.
Touch up not overhaul but HEY! They can do it all over in a few years.
Your tax dollars at work America.
Now I want to sing: “She works hard for the money! So hard for it honey! She works hard for the money so you better treat her right!” – D.Summer
At this point, watching the scene in which Caesar met his end would be extremely satisfying.
Civilized America to Trump: “Get off my plane!”
More “American” as in flying golden casino, complete with showgirls.
When I see Air Force One, I think Gershwin. Trump will have me thinking Hugh Hefner.
Buy stocks in companies that make gold paint!! You know that’s coming ….
it still makes me sick hes in the white house
I am so sick of this idiot. None of this is funny, I’m just disgusted.
Of course he does.
I’ll be honest…I had no idea JBK designed the look of Air Force one, but I was just thinking today while watching the news how the plane looks so dated and reminded me of the 60s. I’m all in favor of a redesign but I wouldn’t trust Trump to redesign an outhouse.