President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard the older Air Force One jet rather than the newer $400 million Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar. U.S. officials told CBS News that this 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 newly donated Air Force One, which had been retrofitted over several months to carry the president. However, for his departure from Turkey to the United Kingdom, he switched to the older Air Force One jet, before returning to the newer plane for the final leg back 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 systems to misdirect threats.

CBS News reported that the use of the older plane was at the suggestion of the Secret Service as a precaution amid escalating tensions and conflict with Iran.

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 news of threats from Iranian proxies was initially reported by The New York Times. As tensions with Iran increase, President Trump has acknowledged possible threats to his safety, including a recent post on Truth Social referencing 1,000 missiles.

Sources