President Donald Trump switched aircraft while departing Turkey during the recent NATO summit after U.S. officials identified a credible threat from Iranian proxy forces targeting him and his transportation, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The sudden change involved switching from a newly donated Boeing 747-8 jet, provided by Qatar, to the older Air Force One.
The threat was detected while Mr. Trump was in Ankara, prompting the U.S. Secret Service to urge the president to take precautionary measures by using the older plane, which is outfitted with more advanced defensive capabilities. The newer Boeing 747-8, while intended as a temporary replacement for the long-serving Air Force One aircraft, lacks some of the sophisticated antimissile defenses found on the older models. The Qatari-donated plane underwent a rapid retrofit to serve as Air Force One but has not yet received full upgrades. White House officials have indicated the aircraft will be taken out of service for about a month in the fall to complete further enhancements.
At the time of the incident, President Trump publicly denied that security concerns prompted the plane swap, initially stating the change was to allow U.S. service members in Britain an opportunity to tour the new jet. However, he later acknowledged that Iranian-linked forces had sought to target him, commenting that he was on “every single one” of their hit lists.
The intelligence underpinning the threat was reportedly gathered through multiple channels, including information shared by Israeli officials regarding Iranian plans to assassinate the president. Some U.S. officials expressed skepticism about the Israeli intelligence, suspecting it might be intended to provoke a more aggressive U.S. stance toward Iran. Sources also clarified that the threat leading to the plane change in Turkey was distinct from the intelligence Israel provided.
The heightened security concerns emerged amid renewed U.S. military actions against Iran-related targets, and Secret Service officials have described the current threat environment as exceptionally volatile. Sean Curran, head of the Secret Service at the time and former chief of Mr. Trump’s protective detail, noted that threat levels for protectees are at historic highs, reflecting broader risks to political figures and officials.
Following the report of the threat, the U.S. Department of Justice initiated a leak investigation targeting journalists who reported on the matter but later withdrew subpoenas seeking testimony and phone records. The White House declined to comment directly on the specifics but expressed confidence in the measures taken to safeguard the president and his delegation during international travel.
The decision to switch aircraft highlights ongoing challenges related to the security capabilities of the presidential fleet, which President Trump has criticized in the past. The donated Boeing 747-8 is viewed as an interim solution until the Air Force receives the new long-delayed presidential planes under development. Meanwhile, officials continue to balance operational readiness, diplomatic considerations, and evolving security threats in protecting the U.S. president abroad.