Trump had arrived in Ankara for the NATO summit aboard the new aircraft, but switched to the long-serving presidential jet for the first leg of his return trip. He later reboarded the new aircraft at RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom before continuing to Washington.
According to reports, the aircraft change came amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran following renewed military exchanges. Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the decision was presented as a precaution rather than a response to any specific intelligence about an imminent threat.
Trump publicly dismissed suggestions that security concerns motivated the move, saying he chose to fly the older aircraft "for old time's sake" while sending the newer plane to RAF Mildenhall so American service members stationed there could tour it.
The aircraft gifted by Qatar has generated controversy since entering service. Although it underwent an accelerated retrofit to serve as a temporary presidential aircraft, defense experts have questioned whether it currently possesses all of the defensive systems and electronic countermeasures installed on the traditional Air Force One fleet.
The unusual aircraft swap came as President Trump warned that Iran views him as a primary target and as U.S. forces carried out additional strikes against Iranian military infrastructure, raising regional security concerns.
