President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard an 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 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 undergone months of retrofitting to prepare it for presidential use. However, he switched to the older Air Force One for his flight from Ankara to the United Kingdom, before returning to the newer plane for the final leg back to the United States.

The swap raised concerns 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 recommended by the Secret Service as a precaution amid escalating tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict. Earlier this month, President Trump acknowledged possible Iranian threats to his safety, noting on Truth Social that 1,000 missiles were "for immediate use if Iran attempts to assassinate him."

The initial report of threats from Iranian proxies was first published by The New York Times.

Sources