President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard the older Air Force One jet instead of the newer $400 million Boeing 747-8 gifted 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 newly donated Air Force One, which had been retrofitted for presidential use. However, he switched to the older plane for his flight from Ankara to the United Kingdom before returning to the United States on the newer aircraft.

The swap raised concerns about the security of the new plane. Sources familiar with the matter told CBS News that 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."

CBS News reported that the use of the older plane was recommended by the Secret Service as a precaution amid escalating tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict. Earlier reports of threats from Iranian proxies were 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 targeting him.

Sources