Trump to use older Air Force One for a month for new jet's upgrades
Quick Look
- President Trump will temporarily use an older Air Force One for about a month while the new Qatari-gifted jet undergoes upgrades.
- The new aircraft has faced scrutiny over its foreign origin and perceived lack of advanced security systems, prompting a recent switch during a NATO summit.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
President Trump's new Air Force One, gifted by Qatar, has been scrutinized for its foreign origin and perceived lack of advanced security systems compared to older jets.
The White House says President Donald Trump will be returning to an older Air Force One plane for about a month as the new, Qatari-gifted jet undergoes “additional upgrades and enhancements.”
Trump’s use of the new red, white and navy blue aircraft has faced much scrutiny not only because it was gifted by a foreign government, but also because it appears to not be equipped with some of the same missile detection and countermeasure systems as the older jets.
But it came under deeper scrutiny this month when he left the NATO summit in Turkey on the older, baby blue Air Force One and made a previously unscheduled stop at a base in the United Kingdom. Trump then swapped back onto the new Qatari-gifted plane at Royal Air Force Mildenhall.
“The new Air Force One is perfectly safe for the President’s travels, but will receive additional upgrades and enhancements in the fall which will take approximately one month to complete,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday. “During that time, the President will fly on the old Air Force One.”
The statement from Leavitt elaborated on a comment from the president as he returned to Washington on Sunday night, when he told reporters that the new plane will be sent to be “maxed out.”
Trump claimed earlier this month that the stop in the United Kingdom was so U.S. troops at Mildenhall could look at the new plane. He denied to reporters that the jet switch was due to security concerns, although he also said that he has a threat against him “all the time” and is Iran’s “No. 1” target.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
President Trump will fly on the older Air Force One for approximately one month.
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific upgrades will the new Air Force One receive?
- What is the exact cost of the upgrades?
- What are the specific security systems in question?
