Take a look inside 'The Beast,' Trump's $1.5 million bulletproof presidential limousine

Sat, 02/14/2026 - 09:49

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The Beast presidential limo — Members of the US Secret Service opens the doors to the presidential limousines known as "The Beast" as US President Joe Biden boards Air Force One prior to departure from Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California, February 4, 2024, as they travel to Las Vegas, Nevada.
SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

US presidents are driven in a heavily armored limousine nicknamed "The Beast."
It features a secure communications system and a fridge stocked with the president's blood type.
Military cargo aircraft transport the presidential limousine for use abroad.

When US presidents aren't flying on Air Force One or taking helicopter trips in Marine One, they're driven around in a presidential limousine nicknamed "The Beast."

Weighing 20,000 pounds and outfitted with advanced security and communications systems, the newest model of "The Beast" debuted during the first Trump administration in 2018. It reportedly cost around $1.5 million to build.

The vehicle made headlines in August when Russian President Vladimir Putin rode in the limousine alongside President Donald Trump as the two met in Alaska to discuss the war in Ukraine.

Take a look inside the famous vehicle.

US presidents travel in a secure limousine nicknamed "The Beast."

US presidents rode Lincoln limousines for most of the 20th century until the 1980s, when the Reagan administration switched to Cadillacs.

The latest model of the presidential limousine was commissioned by the US Secret Service in 2014 and used for the first time in 2018 by President Donald Trump.

Designed to look like a longer version of a Cadillac XT6, the chassis of the car is actually that of a Chevrolet Kodiak truck produced by General Motors, NBC News reported. The vehicle weighs around 20,000 pounds and cost around $1.5 million to build.

The heavily armored vehicle is bulletproof, blast-resistant, and sealed to withstand biochemical attacks.

While details about the limousine's security measures remain classified, NBC News reported that the vehicle features a night-vision system, tear gas firing capabilities, and door handles that can be electrified to prevent intruders.

The windows are believed to be 3 inches thick, and the vehicle's armor is around 8 inches thick.

"The Beast" is also equipped with medical supplies, including a refrigerator stocked with the president's blood type.

Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in The Beast. — President Donald Trump motorcades with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer from at the Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, en route to Glasgow Prestwick Airport, Scotland. Monday, July 28, 2025.
Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok

The limousine's secure communications system can dispatch the launch codes for nuclear weapons.

The presidential seal appears throughout the design of the car.

The presidential seal is seen inside the door of US President Joe Biden's limousine as he arrives at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, on January 30, 2024. Biden is in Florida to speak at campaign receptions.
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

The seal, featuring an eagle holding an olive branch and 13 arrows in its talons below a banner reading "E Pluribus Unum" ("Out of many, one"), appears on both the interior and exterior of the passenger door.

The limousine can seat up to seven people.

Joe Biden and Jill Biden in The Beast — President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden wave as they ride in the Presidential limousine Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, en route to Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.
Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz

The interior features water bottle holders and plush leather seats. Previous presidential limousines have also included a fold-out desk, according to the US Secret Service.

"The Beast" travels with the president.

The President's limousines are loaded aboard a US Air Force C-17 in preparation for a trip. — The president's limousines are loaded aboard a US Air Force C-17 in preparation for a trip.
US Secret Service

Presidential limousines are transported by military cargo aircraft, such as US Air Force C-17s, for use during the president's travels, according to the US Secret Service.

When abroad, the presidential limousine flies the American flag and the flag of the host country.

The Beast presidential car in 2021 — The United States Presidential State Car, nicknamed 'The Beast', seen at Windsor Castle as U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden meet with Queen Elizabeth II on June 13, 2021 in Windsor, England. Queen Elizabeth II hosts US President, Joe Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden at Windsor Castle. The President arrived from Cornwall where he attended the G7 Leader's Summit and will travel on to Brussels for a meeting of NATO Allies and later in the week he will meet President of Russia, Vladimir Putin.
Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images

When Biden visited the UK in June 2021, the presidential limousine flew both the American flag and the Union flag.

On Inauguration Day, Secret Service agents change the car's license plates as a new president takes power.

Secret Service agents change license plates on the presidential limousine at the U.S. Capitol as Donald Trump takes the other of office and becomes the 45th president of the United States, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington.
Alex Brandon/AP

Some presidents have used the Washington, DC, "End Taxation Without Representation" license plates, while others have removed the slogan.

On President Donald Trump's second Inauguration Day, Secret Service agents gave "The Beast" a good shine.

A Secret Service agent shines the presidential limousine. — WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: The presidential limousine sits outside the White House ahead of the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Biden and Trump rode to the 2025 inauguration ceremony together in the presidential limousine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin rode in "The Beast" with Trump in August.

President Donald Trump enters The Beast — Trump and Putin entered The Beast after they arrived for a meeting in Alaska.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Ahead of a meeting on August 15, 2025, to discuss the war in Ukraine, Trump and Putin unexpectedly rode in the car together. The ride lasted fewer than 10 minutes and offered the leaders the opportunity to talk privately. Putin was seen smiling from within the vehicle.

Accompanied by the presidential motorcade, "The Beast" remains an instantly recognizable symbol of the power of the presidency.

"It is safe to say that this car's security and coded communications systems make it the most technologically advanced protection vehicle in the world," the assistant director for the US Secret Service's Office of Protective Operations said in a statement on the organization's official website.

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Take a look inside 'The Beast,' Trump's $1.5 million bulletproof presidential l…