International Watchtower: Qatar Gifts $400 Million New Air Force One, Why Did Trump Temporarily Switch to the Old Plane?

A few days ago, U.S. President Trump made his first overseas trip aboard a new government aircraft gifted by the Gulf nation of Qatar. However, on Wednesday, July 8, when traveling from the NATO summit in Turkey to the United Kingdom, he unexpectedly switched to an older 'Air Force One.' The reason remains unclear.

Trump wrote on his social media platform 'Truth Social' that he would take another aircraft to the U.S. Air Force base in Mildenhall, UK, to 'revisit old memories.' Meanwhile, the new government aircraft gifted by Qatar would still fly from Ankara to Mildenhall so that American troops stationed there could view the new addition to the Air Force fleet. Trump stated, 'This is absolutely worth the short flight, allowing our great military heroes to appreciate this beautiful new member of our Air Force.'

Evening footage on Wednesday showed Trump boarding the new Qatari-gifted 'Air Force One' again at Mildenhall base in the UK, preparing for the flight back to the United States.

The unexpected aircraft switch in Turkey sparked speculation. During a press briefing, a reporter from the New York Post mentioned rumors about Iran potentially threatening the U.S. president's safety. Trump did not specify the reason for the change but broadly discussed the high risks faced by U.S. presidents, saying, 'On Iran’s assassination list, I am number one.'

CNN, citing sources, reported concerns about the new 'Air Force One’s' 'capability' during international missions—likely referring to defensive measures in case of an attack. The New York Times reported on Wednesday evening that this unusual arrangement was a 'security precaution' requested by U.S. intelligence agencies. The new aircraft lacks some features present in the older model. However, the report noted that the switch was not due to any specific threat.

The Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar is reportedly worth around $400 million. Despite strong criticism, the U.S. government accepted the gift in May 2025. Democrats called the move 'blatant corruption.' Trump defended his decision, calling it a cost-effective way to modernize the presidential fleet. Before officially deploying the aircraft, Trump claimed its security measures had been upgraded to 'presidential standards.'

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