President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard the older Air Force One jet instead of the newer Boeing 747-8 plane donated by Qatar, U.S. officials told CBS News. The decision came after U.S. intelligence detected 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 $400 million Air Force One, which the U.S. received as a gift from Qatar last year and retrofitted for presidential use. However, for his departure from Turkey to the United Kingdom, he switched to the older Air Force One jet before returning to the U.S. on the newer plane.

The swap raised questions about the security of the new aircraft. Sources familiar with the matter told CBS News that the older Air Force One planes are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion tactics 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."

CBS News also reported that the use of the older plane was suggested by the Secret Service as a precaution amid escalating tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict. 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 referencing 1,000 missiles.

Sources