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, U.S. officials told CBS News. The decision followed 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 newly donated $400 million Air Force One, which the U.S. had spent months retrofitting. However, for his departure from Ankara to the United Kingdom, he switched to the older Air Force One before returning to the newer plane for the final leg back to the United States. This swap raised concerns about the security of the new aircraft.

CBS News reported that the use of the older plane was advised by the Secret Service as a precaution amid escalating tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict. Sources familiar with the older Air Force One planes said they are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion tactics.

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 increase, President Trump has acknowledged possible threats to his safety, including a recent post on Truth Social mentioning 1,000 missiles.

Sources