Trump Uses Older Air Force One for Part of Return Trip From Turkey

President Trump departed Turkey in an older Air Force One aircraft instead of the newer Boeing 787 jet donated by Qatar last year. The Secret Service advised the president not to use the newer plane for that leg of the trip, two U.S. officials told ABC News. The change was not prompted by a specific threat but reflected differences in security capabilities between the two aircraft.

He switched to the older model for the flight to an Air Force base in Mildenhall, England, then returned to the newer aircraft for the final leg to the United States. Trump posted on Truth Social that he wanted to show the new plane to service members at the base. Reporters traveling on the older aircraft were instructed to keep window blinds closed during the flight from Turkey.

The White House described the switch as a deliberate security measure. Communications director Steven Cheung stated that the new aircraft carries advanced security features. The White House statement said the president faces multiple threats and that officials employ every available tool, including misdirection, to address them.

“The president faces multiple threats and officials employ every available tool, including misdirection, to address them." — White House statement The New York Times reported the change followed Secret Service advice and was not tied to a specific threat. Trump has publicly stated he is on an Iranian kill list and has described the conflict with Iran as ongoing.”