Former President Donald Trump bought his plane in 2011 for a reported $100 million and the two since became closely linked.
Donald Trump has a Boeing 757 private jet outfitted with gold-plated seatbelts and a bedroom.
The ex-president has used the $100 million plane to fly to rallies and criminal indictments.
Trump has owned the jet since 2011 and has held onto it despite his expensive legal battles.
The ex-president, who is now the Republican nominee for the 2024 election, has managed to hold onto his VIP airplane despite the steep $454 million civil penalty he owed New York after losing a recent fraud case, the Associated Press reported in March.
Trump agreed to pay a lower amount than initially asked while he appeals the ruling, per the AP. However, he could have lost key assets — including his aircraft — had he failed to come up with the cash.
Considering the 757 has not only become a staple of Trump’s wealth but also acts as a grandiose backdrop at his presidential rallies, it’s unlikely he’ll easily part with the VIP plane.
During his time as president, Donald Trump flew around the world in Air Force One, a specially-modified Boeing 747 used for presidential transport.
The flying Oval Office is luxurious, with several staterooms and meeting rooms.
President Joe Biden meets with staff aboard Air Force One in 2021.
Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz
But, as a multi-billionaire and business tycoon, Air Force One was not Trump’s first time using a private aircraft.
Trump onboard his Boeing 757 private jet.
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
Over the years, the former president has owned several personal aircraft, like a Cessna Citation X…
Trump stepping off his Cessna Citation X.
John Locher/AP Images
…a Boeing 727 tri-jet…
Trump put the plane up for sale in 2009.
Andrew Milligan – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images
…a Sikorsky S76 helicopter…
Scott Halleran/Getty Images
…and his prized Boeing 757 narrowbody aircraft, which he named “Trump Force One.” JetSpy data shows the ex-president still has the Cessna Citation X.
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
The 757 first flew in 1991 and was previously operated by defunct carriers Sterling Airways of Denmark and TAESA Airlines of Mexico.
Trump’s 757 when it flew for Sterling Airlines.
Flickr/Aero Icarus
It also spent time as a corporate aircraft for Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen before being sold to Trump.
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen (L).
David McNew/Getty Images
Trump bought the more than three-decade-old plane in 2011 for a reported $100 million, and it became an icon at his campaign rallies all over the US.
Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Image
And, it was no secret whose plane was flying overhead as it sported a giant “T” on the tail and “TRUMP” written in large letters on the fuselage.
Trump eventually painted the “Trump” letters gold.
Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images
However, when Trump won the presidency in 2016, he was required to use the government transport fleet while in office.
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
He traded in his beloved 757 for the presidential aircraft, but the plane was still used by members of the Trump Organization from 2017 to 2019.
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
In 2019, the plane was parked at Stewart International Airport in New York where it sat for two years before flying to Louisiana in November 2021 for refurbishment.
Trump’s 757 parked at Stewart International Airport in New York.
Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images
Trump announced on his website in May 2021 that the plane, which needed a new paint job and maintenance work, would be “fully restored and updated” in Louisiana and “used at upcoming rallies.”
Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images
Although Trump initially said the plane would re-enter service at the end of 2021, it is finally back as of July 2022.
Trump’s 757 getting a new paint job.
MediaPost, LLC for Landlocked Aviation
Eric Trump, at the time, posted a time-lapse video on Twitter of the 757’s new paint job, which was completed by aircraft refinishing company Landlocked Aviation.
Trump’s 757 getting a new paint job.
MediaPost, LLC for Landlocked Aviation
Company president Tyson Grenzebach told local outlet 7News in July that the job took 40 people and about a month to complete.
Trump’s 757 getting a new paint job.
MediaPost, LLC for Landlocked Aviation
The fresh livery sports a black fuselage and an American flag on the tail…
Trump’s 757 getting a new paint job.
MediaPost, LLC for Landlocked Aviation.
…and the signature gold “Trump” lettering.
Trump’s new 757 paint job.
MediaPost, LLC for Landlocked Aviation
“Excellence requested, excellence delivered!” Grenzebach told Business Insider in 2022. “The great men and women of Landlocked Aviation are proud to always deliver superior aircraft refinishing work while providing exceptional customer service.”
Trump’s 757 going into Landlocked Aviation’s paint shop.
MediaPost, LLC
Although it has a fresh paint job, the interior was outfitted in 2011 when Trump acquired the jet. A video of Amanda Miller, the Trump Organization’s SVP of marketing & corporate communications, giving a tour was posted to YouTube in 2011.
Donald Trump’s Boeing 757 private jet at LaGuardia Airport in New York on April 3 after he flew in for his arraignment.
Taylor Rains/Business Insider
Entering from the back of the jet, you’ll first see inside the galley, complete with glassware, a sink, and coffee makers, creating a small kitchen.
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
The 43-seater jet can accommodate gourmet meals, but Trump has been seen eating Big Macs and french fries onboard.
Donald Trump eats a meal from McDonald’s in his 757 private jet.
Donald Trump for President
Beyond the galley are a first-class cabin and a dining area with loungers and a couch…
Behind the dining area through the door is the first class cabin (far left).
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
…and a table with four chairs, which Trump regularly conducted interviews from.
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
According to Miller, the seatbelts and other finishes are 24K gold-plated…
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
…and the headrests and pillows have been etched with the Trump family crest.
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
Moving through the jet, passengers will find the main lounge, which features seats, a couch, and the SkyTheater with a 57″ TV and sound system that replicates a “Hollywood screening room,” Miller said.
Pictured is the main lounge’s couch.
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
There is also a touchscreen system that controls the theater and has a special “T” list that shows Trump’s favorite movies and CDs.
Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump sit in loungers in front of the dining area.
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
The plane would not be complete without a few bedrooms, including a guest room with wood finishings, a theater system, and two couches that convert into a double bed.
The two couches convert into a double bed.
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
Meanwhile, Trump has his own private bedroom with a custom headboard, pillows, and comforter, as well as a theater system and work desk.
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
The former president also has a master bathroom with a green countertop and gold-plated sink…
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
…as well as a toilet that doubles as a seat, which is common on many private jets.
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
Toward the front of the jet is a VIP area with a couch and loungers, which is where the pilots or other important people can relax.
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
Although the plane is decked out, it’s not much use without pilots. Longtime aviators John Dunkin and Jay Galpin head the controls in the 757’s glass display cockpit in 2014.
Pilots Captains John Dunkin (L) and Jay Galpin (R) after flying Trump’s 757 private jet.
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
