Trump brags about his color scheme for Air Force One as he unveils $400M plane from Qatar

Trump brags about his color scheme for Air Force One as he unveils $400M plane from Qatar
June 20, 2026

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Trump brags about his color scheme for Air Force One as he unveils $400M plane from Qatar

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President Donald Trump couldn’t help but boast about his hand-picked color scheme of the $400 million jet gifted by Qatar as he unveiled America’s new Air Force One.

On Friday, the president traveled to Joint Base Andrews and delivered remarks to service members while standing in a hangar in front of the massive jet. The red, white and blue paint scheme is similar to Trump’s private plane and a departure from the light blue of the old Air Force One that was recently retired.

Trump’s acquisition of the jet – which he will keep after his term – was met with outrage over security concerns and conflict of interest claims.

“We had it all painted up, and these are the new colors: red, white and blue,” the 80-year-old president said. “Everything was designed good. It was my taste.”

Trump said he liked the lighter shade of blue that has come to define the presidential plane, but declared it was “time for a change.”

“There will never be one like this. This is very unique. This is considered the world’s most luxurious plane,” he added. “When it was built, it was built at a level that will probably never be seen again.”

While unveiling the luxury jet that will serve as the new Air Force One, President Trump boasted about its color scheme (Getty Images)

“This plane was transformed into a flying White House at a level of luxury that nobody’s ever seen before,” Trump said.

The president added that the plane will be part of a flyover to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

The Air Force announced in May that it had finished modifying and testing the Qatari jet for temporary use. The plane is not yet ready to carry Trump, but will soon begin “commissioning flights.”

Trump first announced last May that the Qatari government would donate a jet to serve as the presidential plane, replacing the Boeing 747-200B jumbo jets that have ferried presidents around the world for three decades. The decision sparked backlash from lawmakers who said the deal smacked of corruption.

“I don’t know who needs to hear this, but NO, Donald Trump cannot accept a $400 million flying palace from the royal family of Qatar,” Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, wrote on X last May.

“Not only is this farcically corrupt, it is blatantly unconstitutional,” he added.

‘There will never be one like this. This is very unique,’ the 80-year-old president said of the aircraft (US Air Force)The plane was a $400 million gift from Qatar that Trump will keep after he leaves office (Reuters)The plane’s color scheme is similar to Trump’s private jet (AFP/Getty)

Many Americans appear to agree. In a Harvard/Harris poll last year, 62 percent of voters said the president’s acceptance of the luxury jet “raises ethical concerns about corruption.”

Trump, however, dismissed criticism, writing on Truth Social that “only a FOOL would not accept this gift on behalf of our Country.”

“Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for FREE from a country that wants to reward us for a job well done,” he added.

The Republican president has said the jet from Qatar will be used until a new fleet of Boeing planes for presidential use are completed. It is expected to be donated to Trump’s presidential library after he leaves office.

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