The Secret Service made the decision to replace the aircraft originally received from Qatar with Air Force One, which is equipped with advanced defense systems. This action was taken after officials learned that Iranian-aligned forces were targeting Donald Trump, according to reports.
During this month’s NATO summit in Ankara, the U.S. President abruptly changed aircraft after officials assessed a credible threat directed at him and the Air Force One. He had initially arrived on a new Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar, which lacks the advanced defensive capabilities of the established Air Force One.
Following the identification of the threat by the U.S. government, the Secret Service advised Trump to switch aircraft. He later confirmed he would use Air Force One to depart the country.
Details regarding the nature of the threat have not been publicly disclosed, prompting the White House’s swift response to change the aircraft. This case highlights security concerns regarding the donated plane, which Trump had insisted be prepared as soon as possible for use.
American officials indicated that the Iranian-aligned forces were not specifically targeting the new aircraft but rather Trump himself and any plane he occupied. This information came from anonymous sources familiar with the matter, shared with The New York Times. The White House declined to comment officially, but a senior administration official referenced Trump’s previous statements about Iranian attempts to assassinate him, expressing full confidence in the protective measures in place.
The details of the threat were not widely communicated within the administration, with some officials only being informed it was a general precaution. Key members of Congress were not briefed on this specific alert.
Initially, Trump claimed the aircraft change was meant to allow U.S. military personnel stationed in Britain to visit the new plane, denying any connection to security concerns. However, The New York Times reported that the Secret Service had prompted him to make the switch.
After the publication’s report regarding federal officials’ security concerns about the aircraft, the government launched an investigation into information leaks. Authorities requested testimonies from several New York Times journalists before a grand jury, as well as their phone records and those of their relatives, but the Department of Justice withdrew the subpoenas on Thursday.
Trump seemed to acknowledge on Sunday that the plane lacked several features present in previous Boeing aircraft used as “Air Force One.” When asked by a reporter about the absence of missile defense systems on the Qatar plane, he stated it would soon be “fully equipped.” The aircraft, approximately 14 years old, underwent an expensive and expedited modernization process to serve as “Air Force One.”
At the time of the aircraft swap, some reports indicated that Israel had communicated to the United States about plans by Iran to assassinate Trump. Some U.S. officials viewed this information skeptically, believing it was an attempt to persuade Trump to escalate attacks on Tehran.
The threat against Air Force One in Turkey, prompting the aircraft change, was distinct from the one attributed to Israeli intelligence services, according to sources familiar with the issue.
The United States resumed attacks against Iran while Trump was in Ankara, about 1,000 miles from Tehran. During the NATO summit in July 2026, Trump openly discussed Iran’s efforts to assassinate him when asked about replacing the Qatar-donated aircraft with another.
“They want to eliminate the U.S. leader — me,” he said. “I’m on all their lists. I saw this morning that I’m on absolutely all of their lists. And so far, I believe I’ve had a bit of luck, but perhaps that won’t last long.”
Forces connected to Iran have long sought to assassinate Trump, dating back to his first term when U.S. forces killed Qassim Suleimani, a high-ranking Iranian general.
Trump has complained for years about the status of the two planes serving as Air Force One since 1990, saying they were not impressive enough for international travel. Military officials have separately expressed concerns that the current Air Force One aircraft have been in use far longer than initially anticipated.
Last year, Qatar announced it would donate a Boeing 747-8 for Trump’s use, with the intention of taking it to his presidential library after his term concludes. Officials described the new plane as a temporary solution until the delivery of aircraft ordered by the Air Force, whose delivery had been delayed indefinitely.
Since Trump’s return to the United States from Turkey, White House officials have announced that the new aircraft will be taken out of service for approximately one month this fall for further upgrades.
“The new Air Force One is perfectly safe for the president’s travel but will undergo additional upgrades and improvements this fall, lasting about a month,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in a statement. “During this time, the president will fly with the old Air Force One.”
It is unclear what improvements can be accomplished in such a short timeframe.
During a briefing on Wednesday, Secret Service officials stated that the threat level for individuals under the agency’s protection is at an all-time high.
“The figures recorded by this agency – and, certainly, I have never seen anything like this in my 24-year career – exceed any limit,” Sean Curran, the Secret Service director, told reporters.
“I believe the situation has become extremely unstable, and this applies at all levels. I’m not just referring to individuals under our protection but also to local officials. The scale of the threats and the current context is greater than anything we’ve ever seen,” he added.
Curran was the head of Trump’s Secret Service protection team between his two terms. He was among the agents who were with Trump when he was shot during an assassination attempt as a candidate at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024.
