Air Force One: Donald Trump surprisingly leaves Turkey with older government plane

U.S. President Donald Trump opted for an older Air Force One for the initial leg of his return from the NATO summit in Turkey, later switching to a luxury jet gifted by Qatar during a stop in Great Britain.

The exact reasons for the change were not immediately clear but are suspected to be linked to security concerns. The New York Times reported that the U.S. Secret Service requested the aircraft swap, though it was not in response to a specific threat. Trump himself commented on the situation, stating, "I am always under threat" and identifying himself as Iran's "number one on the death list."

Trump boarded the Qatari luxury jet at Mildenhall air base in Britain. This aircraft, a Boeing 747 valued at an estimated $400 million, was a gift from Qatar last year, drawing criticism and accusations of corruption from some Democrats. Observers suggest Trump may retain access to the plane even after his presidency.

This was the first international trip using the recently commissioned government aircraft, which underwent a roughly ten-month conversion to meet high security standards. Some experts, however, have raised concerns that the expedited conversion might mean the plane does not fully meet all security requirements.