President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard an older Air Force One jet rather than the newer $400 million Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar, due to a credible threat from Iran and allied proxy groups, U.S. officials told CBS News.

The officials revealed that U.S. intelligence detected a credible plot to fire a missile at the presidential plane. The New York Times was the first to report on threats from Iranian proxies.

Trump initially flew to Ankara on the newer, retrofitted Air Force One but switched to the older plane for the flight from Turkey to the United Kingdom. He then resumed travel on the newer plane back to the United States. This swap raised questions about the security of the new aircraft.

CBS News reported that the decision to use the older plane was made at the suggestion of the Secret Service as a precaution amid escalating tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict. The older Air Force One jets are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion systems to misdirect attacks.

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."

As tensions with Iran increase, President Trump has acknowledged potential threats to his safety, including a recent post on Truth Social referencing 1,000 missiles.

Sources