U.S. President Donald Trump leaves following a press conference at the end of his participation in the NATO leaders summit in Ankara, Turkey, July 8, 2026. REUTERS/Yves Herman TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
MSNBC anchor Katy Tur and a panel of experts challenged President Donald Trump's explanation for abandoning the $400 million Qatari-gifted jet after flying it to the NATO summit in Turkey, instead returning on the original Air Force One.
Trump had hyped the aircraft for weeks before announcing it would be flying to an English base for American troops to tour on Truth Social.
When pressed on the sudden change, Trump declined to answer and avoided questions about whether security concerns related to Iran prompted the switch, instead emphasizing the dangers of the presidency and his position on Iran's kill list.
Former CIA Director and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said, "This is a cover story of some kind," and argued the move protected presidential security amid tensions with Iran.
New York Times White House correspondent Peter Baker agreed and noted the retrofitted jet may lack standard Air Force One missile and electromagnetic-pulse protections.
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