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

Officials detected a credible plot to fire a missile at the president's plane, prompting the Secret Service to suggest using the older aircraft as a precaution amid escalating tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict. Trump flew to Ankara on the newly donated $400 million Boeing 747-8, gifted by Qatar and retrofitted for presidential use, but switched to the older plane for his flight from Turkey to the United Kingdom before returning to the U.S. on the newer jet.

The older Air Force One planes are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion tactics, according to sources familiar with the matter. This swap raised questions about the security of the president's new plane.

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 New York Times was the first to report on threats from Iranian proxies. As the war with Iran intensifies, President Trump has acknowledged possible Iranian threats to his safety, including a recent post on Truth Social referencing 1,000 missiles potentially aimed at him.

Sources