President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard an older Air Force One jet instead of the newer Boeing 747-8 plane donated by Qatar, U.S. officials told CBS News. The decision came after U.S. intelligence detected a credible plot by Iran and allied proxy groups to fire a missile at the president's plane.

Trump initially flew to Ankara, Turkey, on the newly donated $400 million Air Force One, which the U.S. had spent months retrofitting. However, for his departure from Turkey to the United Kingdom, he switched to the older Air Force One jet before returning to the U.S. on the newer plane.

CBS News reported that the swap was made at the suggestion of the Secret Service as a precaution amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict. The older Air Force One jets are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and deploy diversion systems, according to sources familiar with the matter.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, "The new Air Force One is perfectly safe for the President's travels, but will receive additional upgrades and enhancements in the fall which will take approximately one month to complete. During that time, the President will fly on the old Air Force One."

The initial news of threats from Iranian proxies was first reported by The New York Times. The credible threat and subsequent change in aircraft raised questions about the security features of the newer Air Force One.

As tensions with Iran escalate, President Trump has acknowledged possible threats to his safety, including a recent post on Truth Social referencing 1,000 missiles potentially aimed at him.

Sources