Take a look inside 'The Beast,' the $1.5 million bulletproof presidential limousine used by Trump and Biden

US presidents travel in a secure limousine nicknamed "The Beast." The newest model debuted in 2018 during Donald Trump's presidency.

Business Feb 28, 2024 0 47 Add to Reading List

Take a look inside 'The Beast,' the $1.5 million bulletproof presidential limousine used by Trump and Biden

The Beast presidential limo — Members of the Secret Service open the doors to the presidential limousine in February 2024.
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 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 in at 20,000 pounds and outfitted with advanced security and communications systems, the newest model of "The Beast" debuted during the Trump administration in 2018.

Take a look inside the famous vehicle.

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

The Presidential limousine "The Beast" — The presidential limousine "The Beast" waits on the tarmac as President Joe Biden disembarks Air Force One in Helsinki, Finland, in July 2023.
Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz

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 around 8 inches thick.

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

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris ride in The Beast — President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris pose for a photo as they ride in the presidential limousine in March 2021.
Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz

The limousine's secure communications system is able to 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 — The presidential seal is seen inside the door of President Joe Biden's limousine as he arrives in West Palm Beach, Florida, in January 2024.
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 Jill Biden wave as they ride in the presidential limousine in January 2021.
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 US presidential state car, nicknamed "The Beast," at Windsor Castle in June 2021.
Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images

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

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 — Secret Service agents change license plates on Inauguration Day in January 2017.
Alex Brandon/AP

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

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

President Joe Biden looks out the window of the Presidential limousin — President Joe Biden looks out the window of the presidential limousine on Inauguration Day in 2021.
Official White House Photo by Ana Isabel Martinez Chamorro

"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 of "The Beast, " according to the US Secret Service's official website.

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