Trump leaves NATO on old Air Force One, repeats claims he’s Iran’s no. 1 target
President Donald Trump flew back from the 2026 NATO Summit Wednesday on the old Air Force One instead of the new Qatari-donated Boeing 747.
When asked at a news conference why he wasn’t returning home on the new plane, the president said it was because it was being taken to some American military bases in Europe so American forces could see it.
“It’s flying to Europe to one of the big bases, two or three of the big bases, where we can show it to people, and we’ll be going home by normal methods,” Trump said.
The president flew on the Qatari jet for the first time this week on his way to the summit and toured it with journalists on June 19. It’s meant to function as a temporary Air Force One while two Boeing VC-25Bs are being converted into presidential aircraft to replace existing aircraft. Those are expected to be completed by 2028 or 2029. The U.S. has spent a minimum of $400 million retrofitting the plane.
On social media, the president wrote that he was taking the former Air Force One for “old time’s sake” and to “give our great military heroes a chance to appreciate our beautiful new addition to the Air Force fleet!”
Trump has also said this week that the ceasefire with Iran is over and that the U.S. will “probably” strike them Wednesday night. He also said more than once Wednesday that he is “number one on the kill list for Iran.”
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Frankfort Approves Over $203,000 for Holiday Lighting Contract
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Summit Hill School District 161 for October 15, 2025
Will County Committee Grapples with $8.9 Million Budget Gap After Contentious 0% Tax Levy Vote
Frankfort Earns Clean Audit, Receives National Finance Award for 35th Consecutive Year
Poll: Young adults not confident in 2026 election fairness
Narco interdiction at sea isn’t new, CBP, Coast Guard have been doing it for years
Government shutdown halts visa, permanent resident approvals
Frankfort Approves Plan for 43-Home First Phase of Stalled Country Crossing Subdivision
Ads roll on, money pours in, and SCORE Act waits
Primary election filing to begin Monday for Illinois Dem, GOP candidates
Student Initiative Leads to Lunch Program Overhaul at Summit Hill
Frankfort Park District Awaits State Agreement on DCEO Grant Amid Public Interest
