We now have another piece of information as to why President Trump switched from the Qatari plane to the old AF1 plane. The Wall Street Journal explains that Israel shared new intelligence with the U.S. It indicated a fresh Iranian plan to kill President Trump, people familiar with the matter said. Was the intelligence accurate? We don’t know for certain, but Iran is calling for his assassination.
The old AF1 has a twin, and it’s easier to distract would-be assassins with missiles.
Iran, for years, has vowed openly to retaliate against Trump for the assassination of Qassem Soleimani. He was a top general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responsible for the deaths of U.S. soldiers. In the president’s first term, he had him executed. Soleimani was still planning attacks on US soldiers.
Trump on Wednesday alluded to threats to his life when speaking to reporters in Ankara, Turkey. “They want to take out the U.S. leader—me,” he said. “I’m on every list. I saw this morning; 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.”
President Trump has put his life on the line to make America great again. He makes mistakes, but he’s almost all we have.
Relations between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have splintered in recent weeks as their interests diverged over continuing the war against Iran.
Netanyahu has advocated for keeping up attacks on Iran and accomplishing more war aims. Trump has sought a way out of the conflict. He is concerned it will tank the global economy. He also doesn’t want to kill innocent Iranians.
The U.S. struck a fragile ceasefire with Iran last month. However, the escalation continues today.
Original Story, October 9
Trump had arrived in Turkey via the new jet, which the Qataris had given to him as a gift. However, he left Turkey in the old AF1.
President Trump abruptly announced Wednesday that he would not fly out of Turkey aboard his luxurious new Air Force One.
Many were concerned that the Qatar-donated jet may be vulnerable to Iranian fire as the war resumes. Trump departed the annual NATO summit using the older model of Air Force One, which he had stopped using last week in favor of the $400 million “palace on wings.” The president wrote on social media that the plane switch was so that US troops in England could “tour” the upgrade. That could be a cover story so as to avoid insulting Qatar.
However, speculation swirled after he spent the day repeatedly mentioning Iran’s interest in killing him.
Nathaniel Reed of Scripps wrote, “We are wheels up from Ankara as of 8:43 p.m. We have been advised to keep our window shades in the press cabin closed. See you on the other side (WHPPR).”
The U.S. refitted the Qatari plane for security, so it’s unclear what it lacks compared to the old one. However, there are two AF1s (the call signal is AF1), and there’s no duplicate for the Qatari plane.
It wouldn’t be surprising if they heeded the Iranian threats to his life very seriously.
Nathaniel Reed of Scripps wrote:
Travel pool note #25 // Wheels up 🛫
We are wheels up from Ankara as of 8:43 p.m. We have been advised to keep our window shades in the press cabin closed. See you on the other side.
Megan Messerly
POLITICO
Wed. Jul. 8, 8:44 PM— White House Press Pool Reports (@WHPressPool) July 8, 2026
Reed added, “Old AF1 back in service, amid apparent concerns over the use of the new, Qatar-gifted jet’s security during the ongoing conflict with Iran.”
Old AF1 back in service, amid apparent concerns over use of the new, Qatar-gifted jet’s security during the ongoing conflict with Iran ⤵️ https://t.co/e4cfFgQIBi
— Nathaniel Reed (@ReedReports) July 8, 2026
