Donald Trump, the person who has faced criticism for starting out the war in Iran that has already led to USAF fighter jets such as the A-10 Warthog and F-15E being downed, owns one of the most recognizable private jets in the world. His aircraft is a Boeing 757-200, registered under the tail number N757AF and informally called “Trump Force One.” The jet was purchased in 2011 from Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen for a reported total cost of $100 million, including a sweeping interior renovation that transformed the aircraft into a gold-accented airborne palace. It replaced Trump’s older Boeing 727-100, which he had sold in 2009.
The aircraft carries 43 passengers in a fully customized cabin and operates out of Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), West Palm Beach, Florida. [Note that this is an airport that be renamed as Donald Trump Airport] It has served Trump as a business tool, a campaign symbol, and a personal statement of wealth across more than a decade. The jet’s distinctive gold “TRUMP” lettering on its fuselage has made it one of the most photographed private aircraft in aviation history.
Trumps Jet Was Manufactured Before the Turn of the Millenium
The Boeing 757-200 now known as Trump Force One was manufactured in Seattle in early 1991. Its serial number is 25155/371. The aircraft was originally delivered to Denmark’s Sterling Airways, where it flew passengers under the registration OY-SHA. Sterling Airways went bankrupt in September 1993, and the aircraft passed through several owners.
In late 1994, it flew for approximately six months with Mexican airline TAESA, registered as XA-SPG. A company called Vulcan Northwest Inc later acquired the jet and converted it with a VIP interior, giving it the registration N115FS. In 1995, the aircraft became the personal transport of Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft. It also served as the team plane for Allen’s Portland Trail Blazers basketball team before Allen re-registered it as N757AF in 1996.
By 2008, Trump was looking to upgrade his Boeing 727. According to Simple Flying, he initially considered a Boeing 767, but aviation broker Ben Sirimanne advised that a widebody would be impractical at many smaller executive airports. The broker then approached Allen, and the deal was finalized. DJT Operations I LLC, a subsidiary of the Trump Organization, purchased the aircraft in 2011 and has held title since, with no recorded transfers or sales.
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How Trump Redesigned the Interior with $37 Million
Once Trump took ownership, he immediately commissioned a top-to-bottom interior renovation. He hired Eric Roth, a specialist in VIP jet interiors, to lead the redesign. Roth drew inspiration from Trump’s penthouse at Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in New York. The renovation ultimately cost $37 million and was carried out by International Jet Interiors.
Roth has described Trump as personally involved throughout the entire process. In a Forbes interview in May 2025, Roth recalled one unusual request: Trump wanted a dedicated space in the galley for Oreo cookies. Roth remembered being surprised: “I said to him, ‘Mr. Trump, really?'” And Trump reportedly replied: “I love Oreos.”
The gold-plating alone cost approximately a quarter of a million dollars. As CNN reported, Roth has said: “Anything metal on that plane’s interior — lights, seat buckles, handles, latches, knobs — we did in 24-karat gold plating.” The seat headrests feature the Trump family crest embroidered with fabric imported from Paris. The renovation took six months to complete.
Cabin Features and Luxury Amenities of Trump Force One
The cabin of N757AF is a purpose-built luxury environment, configured for approximately 43 passengers instead of the aircraft’s commercial capacity of over 200. Key features include:
- Gold-plated fixtures: Every metal surface inside the cabin — seat buckles, door handles, faucets, and light fixtures — is coated in 24-karat gold. According to one account, the amount of gold used was enough to gold-plate a Greyhound bus if melted down.
- Master bedroom: A private suite with a king-size bed, silk linens, a flat-screen television, and a private bathroom with a spacious shower.
- Guest suite: A separate guest room for additional passengers, along with three bathrooms total.
- Living and dining areas: A lounge with leather sofas, a large flat-screen television, and a state-of-the-art entertainment system. The dining area allows gourmet meals prepared in the aircraft’s galley.
- Entertainment system: A 52-inch flat-screen television and an advanced cinema-quality audio system.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, multiple communication systems, and advanced avionics that allow Trump to work, communicate, and hold meetings in the air.
- Glass cockpit: The aircraft features a modern “glass” cockpit, a design feature considered highly desirable by pilots.
- Leather seating: Cream-colored Italian leather seats embroidered with the Trump family crest.
The Trump Organization has described the aircraft as featuring “an extensive entertainment system that rivals any private theater”.
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Performance And Range of Trump’s 757
The Boeing 757-200 is a narrow-body, twin-engine commercial airliner that first flew in February 1982. Deliveries to airlines began in January 1983. Production ran from 1981 through 2004, with over 1,050 aircraft delivered. The aircraft was designed as a short-to-medium-haul replacement for the Boeing 727 and shares design elements with the wider Boeing 767.
Trump’s N757AF is powered by two Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4 high-bypass turbofan engines, widely considered among the most reliable powerplants in their thrust class. These engines are also used by over 58% of all 757 aircraft delivered worldwide, according to StandardAero, the Rolls-Royce-authorized maintenance provider. The RB211-535E4 is expected to remain in service through 2040.
Key performance specifications of the Boeing 757-200 as operated by Trump:
- Length: 155 feet, 3 inches
- Height: 44 feet, 6 inches
- Wingspan: 124 feet, 10 inches
- Maximum range: Approximately 3,900 nautical miles (7,220 km), enabling nonstop flights between New York and most major European cities
- Cruising speed: Mach 0.80, or approximately 609 mph (980 km/h)
- Service ceiling: 42,650 feet above sea level
- Engine endurance: Up to 8 hours of uninterrupted flight
- Engine thrust: Each Rolls-Royce RB211 generates up to 43,500 pounds of thrust
- Passenger configuration: 43 (versus 200+ in standard commercial layout)
The aircraft’s carbon-fiber reinforced wing surfaces, Kevlar fairings, and aluminum alloy airframe contribute to its aerodynamic efficiency and structural durability.
Trump Force One Vs. Air Force One
Trump Force One is often compared to Air Force One, the call sign used for any U.S. Air Force aircraft when the President is on board. The aircraft most commonly associated with this call sign is the VC-25A, a militarized version of the Boeing 747.
The comparison highlights some key differences:
| Feature | Trump Force One (N757AF) | Air Force One (VC-25A) |
|---|---|---|
| Base aircraft | Boeing 757-200 | Boeing 747 (militarized as VC-25A) |
| Passenger capacity | 43 | 70 passengers + crew (76 total) |
| Range | ~3,900 nautical miles | ~6,800 miles |
| Interior size | Standard private jet | 4,000 square feet |
| Interior style | Lavish (24-karat gold, silk, marble) | Comfortable (professional) |
| Funding | 100% privately funded | Taxpayer-funded |
| Medical facilities | None | Surgery suite, dental clinic |
| Special features | Glass cockpit, cinema system | Mid-air refueling, fighter jet escort capability |
Simple Flying noted that both aircraft share common amenities such as bedrooms, bathrooms, galleys, showers, dining areas, and guest areas. However, the VC-25A also includes a surgery suite with a surgeon, a dental clinic, and enough food stores for 3,000 meals. The VC-25A can keep the President airborne for extended periods even away from U.S.-controlled airfields — a capability Trump Force One does not have.
Robb Report noted that the 757 boasts a “glass” cockpit that is considered a pilot-friendly feature, though the VC-25A’s avionics are described as far more advanced.
In January 2024, Trump posted on social media urging Boeing to resume production of the 757, calling it “the most beautiful, best handling plane (from the pilots standpoint!) that Boeing ever made.” Boeing discontinued the 757 in 2004.
The Jet’s Role In Trump’s 2016 Presidential Campaign
Trump Force One played a central role in Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. The aircraft served as a literal backdrop to dozens of airport hangar rallies across the United States, with the gold “TRUMP” branding on the fuselage visible to tens of thousands of supporters. The aircraft’s nickname “Trump Force One” gained currency during this period, coined informally by Trump’s supporters.
The jet’s presence at rallies became a signature campaign visual. At one rally in Ohio in March 2024, a voice announced over the public address system: “Trump Force One, you are cleared for landing,” according to Reuters. The aircraft was also featured multiple times on Trump’s reality television show The Apprentice before the campaign, building public familiarity with the jet’s distinctive interior.
After Trump won the 2016 presidential election, N757AF was placed into storage. As president, Trump was required to travel aboard Air Force One, and the 757 spent several years idly at Stewart International Airport (SWF), approximately 60 miles north of Manhattan. During this storage period, one of the jet’s engines was removed, and CNN reported in March 2021 that repairs could reach into the high six-figures.
Restoration and the Return of N757AF
On May 21, 2021, Trump issued a press release announcing plans to restore and upgrade the aircraft at a maintenance facility in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The aircraft was taken to Chennault International Airport (CWF) in Lake Charles for an extensive overhaul.
In July 2022, Trump’s son Eric Trump posted a video on social media showing the aircraft receiving a new paint job at a hangar in Louisiana. In the caption, the former president was quoted saying Trump Force One would be “back to the skies in the Fall of 2022, or maybe sooner.” The updated livery showed a fresh gold “TRUMP” inscription on the fuselage and replaced the original tail “T” marking with a U.S. flag on the tail fin.
According to CNN’s analysis of flight data, the jet ran test pattern flights above Lake Charles before returning to service. It arrived at Palm Beach International Airport in October 2022, just weeks before the U.S. midterm elections. The aircraft was recommissioned and has remained active since, serving Trump’s travel needs through his 2024 presidential campaign and into his second term as president.
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Notable Incidents and Media Moments Involving the Aircraft
Trump Force One has appeared in several notable aviation incidents and media moments. In April 2023, the aircraft was prominently featured on television when it transported Trump to LaGuardia Airport (LGA), John F. Kennedy International Area, New York for his arraignment in a Manhattan criminal court. The visual of the branded aircraft on national television drew widespread media attention.
On May 12, 2024, a more serious incident occurred. Trump’s Boeing 757 was involved in a ground collision while taxiing at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) at approximately 1:20 a.m. local time. The winglet of the 757 struck a parked and unoccupied corporate jet belonging to VistaJet. The FAA confirmed it was investigating the incident. The collision occurred in an area of the airport where the FAA does not direct aircraft. No injuries were reported.
In a separate but related aviation context, Simple Flying reported in 2025 that Trump has frequently spoken about the aircraft’s superiority, including claims that his 757 was better appointed than Air Force One’s Boeing 747. Aviation industry analysts note that while the interior appointments on Trump Force One are undeniably luxurious, a direct comparison with the VC-25A is not straightforward, as the two aircraft serve fundamentally different operational purposes.
Trump’s Broader Aviation Fleet
Beyond the Boeing 757, Trump has operated a small private aviation fleet over the years. According to Jets & Partners and SafeFly Aero:
- Cessna Citation X: One of the fastest business jets in the world, capable of reaching Mach 0.935 and flying up to 6,000 km. Trump has used this aircraft for rapid domestic travel between major cities. It holds up to eight passengers and is described by Simple Flying as one of the fastest business jets ever produced.
- Sikorsky S-76B Helicopter: A customized helicopter used for short-distance travel, primarily around New York City and between Trump properties. It features a gold-trimmed interior and Trump branding on the exterior.
The Trump Organization previously operated a fleet of Sikorsky S-76 helicopters, though that fleet has been reduced over time. Trump also previously owned a Boeing 727-100, which he sold in 2009 to fund the purchase of the 757. That aircraft reportedly ended up in service with Weststar Aviation, a Malaysian carrier based in Selangor.
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How is a 35-Year-Old Aircraft like Trump Force One Maintained
As of 2026, Trump Force One is undergoing what analysts describe as a major technical refresh. According to a North Country Now report citing 2026 market analysis, the maintenance strategy for the aircraft’s Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4 engines has shifted from reactive maintenance to Rolls-Royce’s TotalCare Flex program. This approach manages the engines based on their remaining on-wing life and allows the operator to maximize the 40,000-plus-hour durability of the core components.
The same report notes that narrow-body jets like the 757 now command a 46% share of the interior modernization sector in 2026, based on data from Fact.MR. This positions the aircraft favorably within the private aviation market, where retrofitting proven platforms with next-generation avionics is increasingly seen as a cost-effective alternative to purchasing newer airframes. The Rolls-Royce RB211-535 is expected to remain in service industry-wide until at least 2040, according to StandardAero.