President Donald Trump avoided flying on his new Qatari-gifted Air Force One jet over assassination fears, instead using his old aircraft to depart the NATO summit in Turkey. The switch was made at the request of the US Secret Service 'as a security precaution,' according to reports.
Security Switch at NATO Summit
Trump sent his new jet ahead to Britain before his arrival. After landing at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk aboard his old aircraft, the US President switched to the new plane for the journey back to Washington. Trump claimed on his Truth Social network that he was sending the new jet to Mildenhall airbase so that service members would have a 'chance to tour the Aircraft.' 'Everybody is so excited, and we thought that they should be the first. For old time's sake, we'll be taking the former Air Force One, from Turkey,' Trump added.
Speculation Over Security Features
But the switch from the new jet on its maiden foreign trip sparked speculation it was because its security features were lacking, particularly as the US launched fresh strikes against Iran, which borders Turkey. According to the New York Times, the new plane lacks some capabilities of the old plane, but the switch was not made because of a specific threat. Reporters were told to keep window shades closed in the press cabin during take-off, without explanation.
Trump Alludes to Assassination Attempts
It came as Trump alluded to previous alleged assassination attempts by Iran during a press conference on Wednesday. The President declared at the NATO summit in Turkey: 'They [Iran] want to take out the US leader - me. I'm on every list.' 'I'm on every single one of their lists, and so far I guess I've been a little bit lucky, but that maybe doesn't last very long, because that's the way it goes,' Trump continued. His warning came as hardline lawmakers in Tehran openly called for missiles to be fired at his location at the summit.
