The Secret Service advised President Trump not to depart the NATO Summit in Turkey aboard the newer Air Force One gifted by Qatar, according to a report published on July 9, 2026.

Sources familiar with the matter told The Hill that the president flew out of Ankara on the older Air Force One model as a precaution against a potential threat from Iran, although no specific threats were identified. This decision came a day after Iran and the U.S. renewed strikes on each other over conflict in the Strait of Hormuz.

President Trump addressed the situation on his Truth Social account, stating that the Qatari plane “was sent earlier to RAF Mildenhall, so we could show the wonderful Servicemembers, as per the entire Base’s request.” He added that the plane was en route back to the United States from Turkey with virtually no deviation from its flight path.

Trump boarded the newer plane for the final leg of his trip during a stop at Mildenhall Air Force Base in Holywell Row, England. The newer Air Force One currently in active rotation is a modified Boeing 747-8 commercial passenger jet gifted by Qatar. It is 18 feet and 4 inches longer than the older Air Force One, which retains a comprehensive, battle-tested Cold War defense suite capable of blinding incoming antiaircraft missiles.

The president also remarked that journalists were on a “dangerous flight because of the sleazebags that we have to deal with,” seemingly referencing Iran, whom he had called “scum” earlier that day.

Sources