Here’s what happened.
President Donald Trump’s newly acquired Air Force One will soon be taken out of service for another round of security upgrades, forcing him to temporarily return to the older presidential aircraft.
The announcement comes just weeks after the Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8 entered service and immediately became the subject of intense public attention over its defensive capabilities.
Speaking to reporters after returning from the FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey, Trump said the aircraft is scheduled to receive additional enhancements designed to strengthen its security.
“They’re going to send it in about a month so it can be completely upgraded,” Trump said. “It’ll take about a month.”
During that time, the president will resume flying aboard the previous Air Force One.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the plan Monday, stressing that the aircraft is already considered safe for presidential travel.
According to Leavitt, the plane will undergo another phase of upgrades this fall that will require roughly one month to complete before returning to service.
Why Is Air Force One Being Upgraded?
The latest improvements are expected to focus on expanding the aircraft’s defensive systems, including enhanced protection against missile threats.
Questions surrounding the plane’s security intensified earlier this month after Trump unexpectedly switched back to the older Air Force One following the NATO summit in Turkey.
At the time, the president said he wanted to make a stop at RAF Mildenhall in England so American service members stationed there could view the newly acquired aircraft.
The unexpected change, however, fueled widespread speculation among defense observers that additional security considerations may have played a role.
For decades, Air Force One has been regarded as one of the most heavily protected aircraft in the world. Many of its defensive systems remain classified, and government officials rarely discuss the technology installed aboard the presidential fleet.
Reports Sparked Questions
Media reports later questioned whether the Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8 had received every security modification typically installed on presidential aircraft before entering regular service.
The reporting also raised questions about whether additional missile-defense systems would be added after the aircraft entered operation.
Those reports triggered a federal investigation into the disclosure of information related to the aircraft’s security preparations.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung defended the administration’s handling of the situation, saying officials routinely use operational security measures to protect the president from potential threats.
He noted that the administration employs every available tool to safeguard presidential travel while avoiding unnecessary disclosure of sensitive security information.
Trump Cites Ongoing Threats
Trump has repeatedly spoken about threats against his life, including alleged assassination plots linked to Iran.
During the NATO summit, he said he believed hostile foreign actors continue to view him as a top target.
Those concerns have placed even greater attention on the security of Air Force One, widely viewed as one of the most important assets protecting the commander in chief during overseas travel.
Once the month-long upgrade process is complete, the aircraft is expected to return to service with expanded defensive capabilities, giving the president an even more secure platform for future domestic and international trips.