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 plane donated by Qatar, U.S. officials told CBS News. This decision followed a credible threat from Iran and allied proxy groups to fire a missile at the president's plane.

Trump initially flew to Ankara, Turkey, on the newly donated Air Force One, which the U.S. had spent months retrofitting to carry the president. However, for his departure from Ankara to the United Kingdom, he switched to the older Air Force One before returning to the U.S. on the newer plane. This swap raised questions about the security of the new aircraft.

CBS News reported that the older Air Force One planes are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion systems to misdirect threats. The use of the older plane was reportedly 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. U.S. officials confirmed to CBS News that they detected a credible plot targeting the president's plane.

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

Sources