Even though it was donated by oil rich Qatar, supposedly at least $400-million was spent on U.S. military upgrades for the venerable Boeing 747-8i. Despite the upgrades the presidential plane is considered a temporary vehicle, which is why it has been officially named Bridge. The latest controversy involves the Secret Service telling the President of the U.S. (PotUS) to stop using it because it lacks ‘security protections’ (defensive countermeasures).
First flight with PotUS onboard, 01JUL2026. Destination Medora, North Dakota, to attend the dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
It has been reported that President Donald John Trump chose the red, white, gold and blue livery, however the initial blue and white livery renderings were issued with a statement saying that the “President of the United States selected the livery design.”
Was the livery for VC-25B supposed to be similar to the older VC-25? USAF rendering of the VC-25B, dated 10MAR2026.
Here is the timeline of decision making; this airliner was donated during Trump’s first term in office and it was then that the red, white, gold and blue livery was chosen. Then, Joseph Robinette Biden Junior became President and changed the livery to the old blue and white scheme. Trump is now President again, so naturally…
Upgrades and flight testing complete, the naked VC-25B takes-off to get a new red, white, gold and blue livery.
The ‘Bridge’ arrives in Waco, Texas, for its new paint job.
With the addition of the new VC-25-Bridge, to the growing fleet of ‘Air Force One’ aircraft (Presidential Airlift Group aka PAG aka 89th Airlift Wing), the old VC-25’s nomenclature was changed to VC-25A. ‘Air Force One’ is actually an air traffic control call-sign used to identify any aircraft carrying the PotUS.
Freshly painted Bridge on its new home of Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
Check out those hyper expensive Secret Service limos, video via Technical Sergeant Isaac March, location Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, 01JUL2026:
Can you tell the difference between the VC-25B & VC-25A? The USAF’s VC-25B and VC-25A, assigned to the 89th Airlift Wing, take-off from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, during the Freedom 250 celebration 04JUL2026. Compilation of videos via First Lieutenant Alexis Kula, Technical Sergeant Sean Evans and TechSgt Isaac March:
Even Mount Rushmore couldn’t escape the Freedom 250 flyover!
Sometime after the Freedom 250 flyover the Secret Service determined that the VC-25B lacked ‘defensive countermeasures’ and insisted that the PotUS not use it for international flights. This resulted in a delay in retirement of the VC-25A, which Trump used on his NATO visit to Turkey.
VC-25B arrives on RAF (Royal Air Force) Mildenhall, but not with the President?