The New York Times reports that President Trump switched aircraft after U.S. officials detected a credible threat that Iranian proxy forces were targeting him and any plane carrying him. He had been flown to Ankara on a Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8 that reportedly lacks the anti-missile systems of the older presidential jet. After the Secret Service urged a change, Trump departed on the older, more fully outfitted aircraft; the donated jet will be taken out of service this fall for additional upgrades.
Secret Service Ordered Air Force One Swap After Credible Iranian Threat, Report Says
The new Air Force One was given to the U.S. by Qatar's government. (FINN GOMEZ/Getty Images)
The New York Times reports that President Donald Trump changed aircraft while departing Turkey after U.S. officials identified what they described as a credible threat that Iranian proxy forces were targeting him and any plane carrying him.
Trump had flown to Ankara for the NATO summit aboard a newly retrofitted Boeing 747-8 donated by the Qatari government. After intelligence services raised concerns, the Secret Service urged a swap and the president departed on the older, more fully equipped presidential jet.
What Officials Say
Sources briefed on the matter told The New York Times the intelligence indicated the threat was aimed at Trump and at whatever aircraft carried him, rather than singling out the Qatari-donated jet specifically. The swap occurred on July 8, officials said.
Aircraft Details And Security Concerns
The Qatari-provided 747-8 reportedly lacks the anti-missile countermeasures installed on the older presidential aircraft. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the donated jet as "perfectly safe," and said it will be taken out of service for roughly a month this fall for additional upgrades. Trump has said the plane will be "maxed out" soon.
"They want to take out the U.S. leader, me. I'm on every single one of their lists," Trump told reporters on the Ankara tarmac.
Context And Background
Officials also noted that Israeli intelligence had flagged a separate alleged Iranian assassination plan around the same period, but described the specific intelligence that prompted the Ankara plane swap as distinct. Analysts say plots tied to Iran against Trump date back to the 2020 U.S. strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
This account is based on reporting by The New York Times; officials have not publicly released detailed intelligence about the threat. The swap highlights the tight coordination between intelligence agencies and the Secret Service when presidential security concerns arise abroad.
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