Trump to Use Older Air Force One for Return from NATO Summit

President Donald Trump announced on July 8, 2026, via a post on Truth Social, that he will fly back to the United States on an older Air Force One aircraft after attending the NATO summit in Turkey. He stated that the newer aircraft, gifted by Qatar, would be sent ahead to Royal Air Force Mildenhall in England for American service members to tour. Trump described the decision to use the older aircraft as a gesture to honor the military, although it raised questions regarding potential security concerns related to the flight from Turkey amidst heightened tensions with Iran. The White House did not provide further clarification on whether security factors influenced the decision. The current Air Force One is equipped with advanced defensive systems, while the former Qatari aircraft has not been confirmed to have similar military-grade capabilities. Trump expressed concerns for his safety, claiming he is a target for Iran, but did not directly address whether this influenced his choice of aircraft.