Trump Switches Air Force One Planes in Turkey Over Iranian Proxy Threat

During his visit to Turkey earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly switched the plane he was using after credible threats emerged from Iranian-backed proxy forces targeting him and Air Force One. Trump initially arrived in Ankara aboard a newly donated Boeing 747-8 from Qatar, which lacks the advanced defense systems of the older Air Force One aircraft. Upon detection of the threat during the NATO summit, U.S. intelligence advised Trump to change planes, leading him to depart Turkey on the older, better-protected Air Force One.

The new Qatari plane, about 14 years old, had undergone rapid modifications to serve as Air Force One but is scheduled for further security upgrades this fall, during which Trump will revert to using the older plane. The White House did not comment directly on the New York Times report but referenced Trump’s public statements about Iranian assassination attempts and expressed confidence in the protective measures taken.

Intelligence about the threat was tightly controlled, with limited dissemination even within the U.S. government and no specific briefings to key Congress members. Israeli intelligence reportedly provided information on Iranian assassination efforts against Trump, though some U.S. officials viewed this with skepticism, considering it possibly aimed at prompting stronger U.S. actions against Iran. The threat that prompted the plane switch was reportedly separate from the Israeli intelligence.

Trump openly acknowledged Iranian attempts to kill him, stating he is on multiple assassination lists and attributing his survival partly to luck. The longstanding hostility from Iranian-linked forces intensified after the U.S. killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Trump had previously criticized the aging Air Force One planes for lacking modern capabilities, and the Qatari plane was intended as a temporary replacement until new Boeing aircraft ordered by the Air Force become available.

Following the incident, the White House confirmed the Qatari plane will be taken out of service for about three months this fall for additional security enhancements. During that period, Trump will continue to use the older Air Force One. The exact nature of the upgrades remains undisclosed.