TJ Madsen is among the founding members of the New Herald Tribune and chairs the editorial board. He worked for national syndicated newspapers in Newark, Philadelphia, and Baltimore before moving to the midwest.
February 19 , 2026
Washington - The White House announced Wednesday that the next generation of Air Force One will feature a fully gold-plated exterior, marking a dramatic shift from the aircraft’s iconic blue-and-white design first introduced during the Kennedy administration.
President Donald Trump approved the redesign as part of what aides describe as a “modernization and rebranding” effort for the presidential fleet. Speaking briefly to reporters before departing for Florida, Trump said the new look would “reflect America’s strength, prosperity, and unmatched greatness.”
According to officials, the finish will use a lightweight, corrosion-resistant gold alloy developed for aerospace applications. Engineers at Boeing, which is assembling the new VC-25B models in Everett, Washington, are reportedly testing how the reflective plating will impact radar visibility and temperature regulation at high altitudes.
Cost estimates for the gold exterior have not been publicly released, but congressional budget staff project that the addition could increase the aircraft’s total price tag by tens of millions of dollars. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the spending, calling it “a prudent investment in American image and diplomatic presence.”
“Air Force One is the most visible U.S. aircraft in the world,” Leavitt said. “Every landing, every visit conveys what our country stands for. This administration believes confidence should shine—literally.”
The two new planes, scheduled to enter service in 2028, will replace the aging VC-25A models currently in use since 1990. Aviation museums and collectors have already expressed interest in acquiring retired components from the existing fleet.
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