Donald Trump’s Boeing 757 remains centerpiece of VIP aviation legacy

Roth described Trump's hands-on approach: "As a developer, you’re going to have plenty of architects and designers on staff, or certainly at your disposal. But in this case, it wasn’t that at all. He was very personally invested. It was just him and me."

The result was an interior tailored for up to 43 passengers—far fewer than the standard capacity—with features such as a master bedroom suite, guest lounge, dining/conference room, expansive galley, multiple bathrooms, and extensive gold-plated fixtures throughout.

The jet gained public attention through appearances on "The Apprentice" and later became central to Trump's image during his presidential campaign starting in 2015. Nicknamed "Trump Force One," it often served as a backdrop at rallies and media events.

After Trump took office in 2017 and began using Air Force One for official travel, N757AF was stored at Stewart International Airport before undergoing maintenance in Louisiana. The plane received an updated livery featuring a U.S. flag on its tail instead of the original 'T'. It returned to service in October 2022 ahead of Trump's renewed political activities.

In addition to this aircraft, Trump has owned other VIP transports including Sikorsky S-76 helicopters and a Cessna Citation X business jet (N725DT), which he used during campaign periods when access to smaller airports was necessary. The Citation X was sold recently as part of asset liquidation following legal penalties imposed by New York courts.

While Trump's Boeing 757 remains operational under his organization’s ownership—even as he resumes flying on Air Force One—questions persist about its practicality given rising maintenance costs and its age approaching 35 years. Industry observers note that modern long-range private jets offer greater efficiency and flexibility for accessing smaller airports compared to older airliners like the 757.

Nonetheless, Trump's choice appears driven less by operational considerations than by symbolism: owning an iconic aircraft that reinforces his public persona has played an important role in shaping his image over recent years.

As such, N757AF continues to serve both as transportation and as a notable chapter in aviation history tied closely to its owner's ambitions.