The US President Trump was forced to abruptly alter his travel arrangements when departing Turkey this month following intelligence of a “credible threat” from Iranian proxy forces.
The Secret Service recommended the change during the NATO summit in Ankara, leading Trump to fly on the veteran primary Air Force One jet instead of a newer, Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8.
Sources from The New York Times report indicated that the threat specifically identified Iranian-linked groups as targeting Trump and any aircraft he occupied. This development was distinct from separate intelligence previously provided by Israel regarding assassination plots, which some American officials had initially met with scepticism.
The ongoing hostility is linked to the 2020 killing of Iranian general Qassim Suleimani during Trump’s first term. During the summit, the US president acknowledged the persistent risk, said he is “on every single one of their lists” and added that his safety thus far may have involved a degree of luck.
The decision to switch planes highlighted significant gaps in the defensive capabilities of the donated 747-8. While the older primary jets are equipped with sophisticated antimissile defences, the newer “bridge” aircraft currently lack these essential features.
Though Trump initially claimed the swap was intended to allow US service personnel in Britain to tour new jet, it was later confirmed that Secret Service security concerns were the primary driver. He has since said the newer jet will soon be “maxed out” following further technical retrofitting.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran described the current security climate as the most “volatile” he has experienced in his 24-year career. He said threats against protectees are currently “off the charts,” a situation he considers unprecedented.
Curran, who was with Trump during the Butler, Pennsylvania assassination attempt in 2024, added that the heightened threat environment now extends across the board to various officials.
Amidst this high-alert status, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the Qatari-donated aircraft will be withdrawn from service for one month this autumn. The jet is scheduled for “additional upgrades and enhancements” to ensure it meets full presidential safety standards.
The controversy surrounding the plane’s security recently sparked a Department of Justice leak investigation involving journalists from The New York Times, though subpoenas for phone records and testimony were ultimately withdrawn.
The aircraft serves as a temporary “bridge” until long-delayed, purpose-built jets commissioned from Boeing are delivered to the US Air Force. In the interim, Trump will return to using the older Air Force One during the upcoming maintenance period.
Although the White House maintains the new plane is “perfectly safe,” the planned enhancements are deemed necessary for its continued use.
