President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier in July 2026 aboard an older Air Force One jet instead of the newer plane recently donated by Qatar. U.S. officials informed CBS News that this decision followed the detection of a credible missile threat from Iran and its allied proxy groups targeting the president's aircraft.

Trump initially 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, for his departure from Ankara to the United Kingdom, he switched to the older Air Force One jet before returning to the U.S. on the newer plane. This swap raised questions regarding the security of the new aircraft.

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

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 initial report of threats from Iranian proxies was first published by The New York Times. U.S. officials confirmed to CBS News that a credible plot to fire a missile at the plane was detected. President Trump has acknowledged potential Iranian threats to his safety, noting on Truth Social earlier in the month that 1,000 missiles were prepared for immediate use if Iran attempts to assassinate him.

Sources