Trump Switched Aircraft Mid-Trip on Secret Service Advice

President Trump flew a newer Air Force One aircraft to a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, then switched to an older model for the flight to an air base in England before returning to the newer plane for the final leg to the United States.

The White House described the switch as a security precaution. Communications director Steven Cheung said the new aircraft carries advanced security features. A 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," the statement said.

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. 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 vessels' operators have not been publicly identified by the U.S. government.