President Trump left the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, earlier this month aboard an older Air Force One jet rather than the newer 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 on the new $400 million Air Force One, which was accepted as a gift from the Qatari government and 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 concerns about the security of the new plane. Sources familiar with the older Air Force One jets told CBS News that these planes are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion tactics to misdirect munitions.

CBS News reported that the use of the older plane was at the suggestion of 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 news of threats from Iranian proxies was first 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