| Submit your comments on this article |
| -Land of the Free |
| Trump unexpectedly switches back to old Air Force One, sidelining Qatari jet |
| 2026-07-09 |
| [Reuters] President Donald Trump unexpectedly left Turkey on Wednesday aboard an older Air Force One rather than the newly renovated Qatari-donated jet that brought him there, but later boarded the new plane in Britain for the flight to Washington. The trip to Turkey for the NATO summit, the first international travel for the new plane, took place as hostilities escalated with Iran, a country that borders Turkey. The unexpected plane switch followed months of scrutiny over the luxury gift intended to serve as a temporary replacement while Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab struggled to deliver long-delayed next-generation Air Force One planes. Critics questioned the cost, security and pace of the retrofit. Trump said on Truth Social that he would use an older baby blue Air Force One plane "for old time's sake" to fly from Ankara to RAF Mildenhall in Britain while the new plane stopped at the same base so U.S. service members stationed there could tour the aircraft. Trump, asked in Ankara if a threat of assassination prompted his decision to change planes for his departure from Turkey, did not answer directly but acknowledged the potential threat. "I'm number one on the kill list for Iran," he told reporters at a news conference as the NATO summit concluded. "I don't know. I can't tell you that but I don't really care." The upgrades to the jet from Qatar were completed so quickly that some experts expressed concern the plane may not be as secure as the existing Air Force One aircraft. Related: Air Force One: 2026-07-04 Donald Trump changed everything tonight Air Force One: 2026-07-02 US, Iran wrap up indirect Doha talks as Trump touts progress towards 'denuclearization' Air Force One: 2026-06-20 Trump calls Netanyahu a ‘warrior PM,’ touts ‘great' ties with Israel amid tensions over Iran |
| Posted by:Skidmark |
| #5 |
| Posted by: Grom the Reflective 2026-07-09 18:11 |
| #4 |
| Posted by: mossomo 2026-07-09 13:44 |
| #3 |
| Posted by: NoMoreBS 2026-07-09 12:10 |
| #2 |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2026-07-09 11:32 |
| #1 |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2026-07-08 17:39 |