President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard the older Air Force One jet instead of the newer Boeing 747-8 plane donated by Qatar, U.S. officials told CBS News. The decision followed detection of 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 new $400 million Air Force One, which the U.S. accepted as a gift from Qatar last year and retrofitted for presidential use. However, he flew from Ankara to the United Kingdom on the older Air Force One before switching back to the newer plane for the remainder of his trip to the United States.

The swap raised questions about the security of the new plane. Sources familiar with the matter told CBS News that the older Air Force One jets are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion tactics to misdirect munitions.

CBS News reported that the use of the older plane was at the suggestion of the Secret Service as a precaution amid escalating tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict. The New York Times first reported the threats from Iranian proxies.

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 possible threats to his safety, including mentioning on Truth Social earlier this month that 1,000 missiles were "for immediate use if Iran attempts to assassinate him."

Sources