Trump switches back to flying on older Air Force One for England trip instead of new Qatari jet

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Guardian

Wed 8 Jul 2026 14.25 EDT
Last modified on Wed 8 Jul 2026 14.37 EDT


Donald Trump will fly from Turkey to England onboard the older Air Force One, rather than the new, Qatari-gifted aircraft he used to travel to Turkey, an unexpected change in plans that prompted questions about security fears.

Trump first announced the change in a Truth Social post on Wednesday, where he said that “to honor our brave men and women of the Military, we are sending the brand new, and truly spectacular, Air Force One to Mildenhall Air Force Base, in the United Kingdom, to give them a chance to tour the Aircraft”.

He added that “for old time’s sake, we’ll be taking the former Air Force One, from Turkey to Mildenhall, a short trip that is totally worth doing in order to give our Great Military Heroes a chance to appreciate our beautiful new addition to the Air Force Fleet!”.

Trump had flown to Turkey onboard the new $400m aircraft, which was given to the US as a gift last year by the Qatari government, marking its first international trip. And so the shift in plans to fly the older jet drew questions during a news conference at the Nato summit in Ankara, Turkey, where Trump was asked why he was not returning onboard the new plane.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/08/trump-air-force-one-england-trip

[twodogsbarking]

1. I am sure there is a valid explanation.

[FSogol]

3. Did it attempt to launch the craft into a flaming kamikaze directly toward the sun?

[Girard442]

2. Probably just a wild rumor that there are hidden homing beacons for dronrd

Don't believe it -- or pass it on.

[FSogol]

5. and the screens only displays select movies from the Epstein files.

[hlthe2b]

4. There was a reason JFK chose the light blue pattern that blends with the clouds...

so maybe the far more obvious plane is causing some consternation given his terror that Iran will murder him.

Or, there are already mechanical issues.

Or, there are already lapses in security and concerns they are being fully tracked.

Or some previously undisclosed issues have arisen, including, but not limited to legal issues with its use.

Or, any number of other possible explanations. That Trump wanted the military enlisted to get to see it? Yeah, right... Not on your life.

[rampartd]

6. or he wants to put the hours on our plane so he needs less maintenance later

if he ever leaves the white house, i think his library will lease the plane to the board of peace for their chairman.

[dave99]

7. Founf the Security Hole in US Intelligence: "Trump first announced the change in a Truth Social ... "

[Dr. T]

8. EVERYTHING the douchbag touches turns to shit.

[Buddyzbuddy]

9. Do they just hitch up a spare former AF-1 and tow it from mobile home park to mobile home park?

Has this been SOP? Just in case? I'm just curious? He sounds as paranoid as Arafat, never sleeping in the same place.

[Sneederbunk]

10. Algae crept on to the new plane.