President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard an older Air Force One jet instead of the newer plane donated by Qatar, due to a credible threat from Iran and allied proxy groups, according to U.S. officials speaking to CBS News.

Officials revealed that the U.S. detected a credible plot to fire a missile at the presidential plane. The threat from Iranian proxies was initially reported by The New York Times.

Trump flew to Ankara, Turkey, on the newly donated $400 million Boeing 747-8 Air Force One, gifted by the Qatari government and retrofitted for presidential use. However, he departed Ankara for the United Kingdom on the older Air Force One before switching back to the newer plane for his return 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 the ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions. The older Air Force One jets are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion systems to misdirect threats, sources familiar with the matter told CBS News.

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 escalate, President Trump has acknowledged possible threats to his safety, including a recent post on Truth Social mentioning 1,000 missiles.

Sources