Trump Uses Older Air Force One After $400 Million Qatari Jet Falls Short on Security
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 21
Trump Uses Older Air Force One After $400 Million Qatari Jet Falls Short on Security
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 21
Summary
Trump flew back from the NATO summit on the older Air Force One instead of the Qatari-donated Boeing 747-800, after security concerns surfaced during renewed hostilities with Iran.
U.S. officials said no specific threat triggered the switch, but the newer plane had weaker security capabilities, including lacking the older aircraft’s advanced antimissile countermeasures.
The change undercut repeated administration assurances that the donated jet was fully safe, with Trump later saying it would be sent for upgrades in about a month to be “maxed out.”
The $400 million aircraft began service in early July and had already drawn scrutiny over ethics and security; Boeing’s long-delayed replacement presidential jets are now expected by 2028.