President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard an older Air Force One jet instead of the newer Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar, after U.S. officials detected a credible missile threat from Iran and its allied proxy groups targeting the president's plane.

Trump initially flew to Ankara, Turkey, on the newly donated $400 million Air Force One, which the U.S. had retrofitted for presidential use. However, due to the threat, he departed from Ankara to the United Kingdom on the older Air Force One before switching back to the newer plane for the final leg to the United States.

The older Air Force One jets are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion tactics, a security feature reportedly influencing the decision to use the older plane 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 credible threat and subsequent change in aircraft raised questions about the security of the newer plane. The initial report of threats from Iranian proxies was first published 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 potentially aimed at him.

Sources