Trump flies Air Force One from Turkey amid Iran tensions

President Donald Trump returned to the United States from a NATO summit in Turkey on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, aboard an older Air Force One aircraft instead of the newly retrofitted Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar. The unexpected switch occurred amid renewed military hostilities between the United States and Iran, immediately raising questions about the security readiness of the new presidential jet.

Trump announced the change on social media, stating he was flying on the older VC-25A aircraft "for old times sake" for the leg from Ankara to Royal Air Force Base Mildenhall in the United Kingdom. He said the newer plane traveled separately to the same base so U.S. service members could tour it. However, multiple sources familiar with the plans said the U.S. Secret Service had urged the president to use the older aircraft as a security precaution due to escalating tensions with Iran. Officials indicated the recommendation was made out of an abundance of caution and was influenced by differences in the planes' security capabilities, though no specific threat was cited.

When asked by reporters at a news conference in Turkey if security concerns prompted the decision, Trump did not...