White House to Upgrade New Air Force One, Trump to Use It for Domestic Trips

The White House is fast‑tracking upgrades to the Qatar‑donated aircraft that began serving as Air Force One, with work slated for late autumn and the exact scope still unclear. Interior discussions warned against using the plane in high‑risk regions such as Israel amid the ongoing war with Iran. Nevertheless, President Donald Trump flew the newly refurbished jet to Turkey earlier this month after an initial safety assessment deemed it safe; officials later called that authorization a mistake. Trump publicly acknowledged the need for additional security enhancements, saying the changes would take about a month, a timeline experts consider insufficient for major upgrades. After the Turkey visit he switched to the older presidential aircraft, citing a desire for U.S. service members at a UK base to see the plane rather than safety concerns. Sources say the new jet lacks some capabilities needed for the president’s protection in international settings, prompting an extraordinary investigation and demands for officials’ phone records.