President Trump says the Qatar-donated jumbo jet being used as the new Air Force One will be taken offline for additional upgrades to “max out” its security capabilities. Multiple outlets report that Trump moved away from the aircraft after questions emerged about its missile-defense and overall security features, including concerns raised by the Secret Service about whether the plane meets protection standards typically used when transporting the U.S. president.
According to reporting, Trump started flying on the jet after accepting it as a gift and after an accelerated renovation of a Boeing 747 for presidential use. However, during a flight from Turkey toward the United Kingdom, Trump switched to the older Air Force One, which outlets link to heightened security concerns tied to the new plane’s defenses.
Trump now characterizes the next steps as a security overhaul expected to last about a month, with the aircraft sent for modifications. One outlet reports the upgrades follow concerns that the contractor-led rapid conversion did not include measures considered standard for presidential transport. The administration and outlets describe the effort as focused on improving security features before the aircraft resumes service.
