President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard the older Air Force One jet rather than the newer $400 million Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar, U.S. officials told CBS News. The decision followed the detection of 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 new Air Force One, which the U.S. had spent months retrofitting after accepting it from Qatar last year. However, for his departure from Turkey to the United Kingdom, he switched to the older plane before returning to the U.S. on the newer jet.

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. Sources familiar with the matter said the older Air Force One jets are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion systems to misdirect threats.

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

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

Sources