Trump's Air Force One swap in Turkey caused by Iran-backed terrorist proxy threat - report

Threats from Iran-backed terrorist proxies prompted President Donald Trump to switch aircraft during his July trip to Turkey, according to a report by The New York Times. The decision, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter, was made on the Secret Service's recommendation following the identification of a credible threat by US intelligence.

Some Trump administration officials reportedly received only partial briefings on the threat. They were informed that the aircraft change was a precautionary measure due to general concerns about Iran. Key members of Congress were also not fully briefed on the specifics of the threat, the Times reported.

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for old time's sake

The report indicated that Iranian proxies intended to target the president directly, regardless of the aircraft he boarded. This contrasts with Trump's earlier public explanation that the switch to an older Air Force One for his flight from Turkey to the UK was made "for old time's sake."

Trump later stopped in the UK, where he resumed travel on the new Air Force One before returning to the US. The new aircraft, refitted by L3Harris Technologies, serves as a temporary replacement while Boeing works on two purpose-built 747-8s.

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It has a lot of capability. But as I understand it, in about a month or so, they're gonna send it to have it be maxed out… It'll take about a month.