President Trump departed the NATO summit in Turkey earlier in July 2026 aboard an older Air Force One jet instead of the newer Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar, following a credible missile threat from Iran and allied proxy groups, U.S. officials told CBS News.

The U.S. detected a credible plot to fire a missile at the newer plane, prompting the Secret Service to advise the president to use the older aircraft, which is equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and misdirect munitions.

Trump initially flew to Ankara, Turkey, on the newer $400 million Air Force One, but switched to the older jet for the flight from Turkey to the United Kingdom. He then resumed travel on the newer plane for the remainder of his trip back to the United States. This swap raised questions about the security of the new aircraft.

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 the threats from Iranian proxies. As tensions with Iran escalate, President Trump has acknowledged possible threats to his safety, including a recent post on Truth Social referencing 1,000 missiles.

Sources