Since the moment he began his campaign for president in 2015, Donald Trump has been announcing and promoting new and bold ideas. Now, one of his latest concepts involves the iconic form of transportation that takes U.S. presidents high above the ground, from one destination to another.
That’s right; Trump has his eyes on a makeover for Air Force One, the presidential jet. His vision is for the airplanes to sport a more patriotic look that incorporates red, white and blue on the exterior. The current look includes a medium blue paint color, dating back to the early 1960s when President John F. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline selected the design and paint color. Supposedly, Trump thinks that color is too much of a Jackie Kennedy color and not patriotic enough.
Trump also has ideas for the interior. For example, he wants the setup to be more comfortable, with larger beds rather than the current sofa-style sleeping accommodations. There are also other way in which he wants to improve the interiors.
So, is it a wise move for Air Force One to be redesigned, or should Trump have stayed with the plane design that has been in place for decades? Is it wrong for Trump to replace a traditional design that has been in use since the time of the Kennedys? An argument can be made either way, but it does make sense for Air Force One to be as comfortable and convenient as possible for presidents who have to use that form of transportation on trips that are often long, stressful and exhausting.
It does make sense for Air Force One’s exterior to be more in keeping with the American flag colors. It is not set in stone that the design of JFK has to be used forever. It is reasonable to think that Air Force One would need to be updated and brought into the 21st century standards and style.
Soon after the announcement about Air Force One being redesigned, the president’s critics were quick to put in their two cents. For example, USA Today published a parody type of article, complete with photos of satirical redesigns, such as a plane with tons of bright gold and another with a huge eagle drawing on the front of the plane. Another photo had tacky and corny red, white and blue designs plastered all over it. The media doesn’t skip one opportunity to mock Trump’s ideas and plans. Despite the views of his opponents, Trump has good taste and will likely come up with an attractive while patriotic new design.
Interestingly, the newly designed Air Force One planes will likely not be completed and ready for presidential use by the time Trump’s first term in office ends. That means the only way he would be able to enjoy the fruits of his redesign efforts would be if he is reelected in 2020.
It’s no surprise that Trump, as a man of action, is leaving no stone unturned when it comes to Making America Great Again, with the latest iteration of that motto affecting Air Force One.
~ Liberty Planet
