Secret Service advised Trump not to fly home from NATO Summit on Qatar-gifted Air Force One

The change in planes adds ammunition to questions about whether retrofitting the Qatar Boeing 747-8 had been rushed and not given the time needed to ensure sufficient security measures

By Kevin Killough

Published: July 9, 2026 9:10am

The Secret Service advised President Donald Trump that taking the Qatar-gifted Air Force One jet home from the NATO Summit in Turkey would be a bad idea.

Trump flew out of Ankara on an older Air Force One model due to potential threats from Iran, the New York Times reported, citing unnamed sources.

The change in planes adds ammunition to questions about whether retrofitting the Qatar Boeing 747-8 had been rushed and not given the time needed to ensure sufficient security measures. Lawmakers have said the short timeline might not have been enough to install advanced missile defense systems and other security measures to ensure the president's safety.

President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday that he was flying back to the United States on the old Air Force One and sending the new one from Qatar to the United Kingdom, stating he is "number one" on Iran's kill list.