Security concerns over Trump's Qatari-gifted Air Force One
US President Donald Trump faces security questions over his new Air Force One plane, a retrofitted Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar's royal family. The Secret Service reportedly advised Trump to switch to an older aircraft with better countermeasures, including anti-missile defenses. Trump abruptly sent the new plane ahead to a British airbase during a NATO summit in Turkey, claiming it was for US troops to tour. The New York Times reported the new jet lacks security features of the older plane. Speculation grew due to renewed US-Iran hostilities and journalists on the older plane being told to keep window blinds down. Trump denied security concerns but later referenced alleged Iranian assassination attempts.
Key facts
- Trump's new Air Force One is a retrofitted Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar's royal family.
- The Secret Service advised switching to an older aircraft with anti-missile defenses.
- Trump sent the new plane ahead to a British airbase from Turkey.
- The New York Times reported the new plane lacks security countermeasures.
- Journalists on the older plane were told to keep window blinds down.
- US hostilities with Iran had flared again.
- Trump denied security concerns but later referenced Iranian assassination attempts.
- The new plane's maiden trip outside the US was to Ankara.
Entities
Institutions
- Secret Service
- The New York Times
- NATO
- Qatar royal family
Locations
- United States
- Turkey
- Ankara
- United Kingdom
- Washington
- Iran