President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard the older Air Force One jet instead of the newer plane donated by Qatar, U.S. officials told CBS News. The decision came after U.S. intelligence detected 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 $400 million Boeing 747-8 Air Force One, gifted by the Qatari government and retrofitted for presidential use. However, he switched to the older Air Force One for his flight from Ankara to the United Kingdom before returning to the United States on the newer plane.

The swap raised questions about the security of the new aircraft. 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 threats.

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."

CBS News also reported that the use of the older plane was suggested by the Secret Service as a precaution amid escalating tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict. Earlier this month, President Trump acknowledged possible Iranian threats to his safety, noting on Truth Social that 1,000 missiles were "for immediate use if Iran attempts to assassinate him."

The initial reporting on threats from Iranian proxies was first published by The New York Times.

Sources