President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard an older Air Force One jet instead of the newer $400 million Boeing 747-8 gifted 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 Air Force One, which had been retrofitted for presidential use. However, he switched to the older plane for his flight from Ankara to the United Kingdom, before returning to the United States on the newer aircraft.

CBS News reported that the swap was made at the suggestion of the Secret Service as a precaution amid escalating tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict. The older Air Force One jets are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion tactics to misdirect threats, according to sources familiar with the matter.

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. The credible threat and subsequent aircraft swap have raised questions about the security features of the president's new plane.

As tensions with Iran intensify, President Trump has acknowledged potential threats to his safety, including a recent post on Truth Social referencing 1,000 missiles.

Sources