FBI to interview people who flew with Trump on Qatar-gifted plane over embarrassing media leaks: report

FBI to interview people who flew with Trump on Qatar-gifted plane over embarrassing media leaks: report The Qatari-gifted jet lacks some of the defensive features possessed by the older model, one report suggested - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments The FBI is seeking to speak with people who flew with President Trump to Turkey last week on the Qatari-gifted jet being used as Air Force One, according to a report. According to one person briefed on the probe, investigators have tried to contact members of the Secret Service who accompanied the president on a trip to a NATO summit in Ankara. Trump left Turkey aboard the older Air Force One model, before boarding the Qatari-gifted jet in Great Britain. He flew from the United Kingdom back to the U.S. aboard the Qatari-gifted jet. The apparent investigation comes after a set of reports from The New York Times, one of which said that Trump was forced to fly on the older Air Force One model due to concerns raised by the Secret Service. The other report suggested that the Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8 lacked the defensive capabilities possessed by the older model. Trump administration officials told the publication that the investigation is intended to identify anyone who shared information about the alleged security concerns. FBI Director Kash Patel and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles are leading the investigation. Two sources told The Times that officials at the agency instructed workers to refer outside requests to lawyers. Trump has claimed that he flew from Ankara in Turkey to the RAF Mildenhall base in the U.K. for “old times’ sake.” However, sources familiar with the president’s plans claimed to The Times that Trump took the older model as a security precaution related to the recommencement of hostilities between the United States and Iran. Sources added that the Secret Service’s advice to swap planes did not come in the wake of a specific threat. Steven Cheung, the White House communications director, defended the plane’s capabilities in a statement given to The NYT. “The new Air Force One is a state-of-the-art aircraft that has been fitted with high-level security protocols that ensure the safety of the president and his staff,” Cheung said. As part of the FBI investigation, several reporters at The NYT were served subpoenas on Friday. The publication filed a motion to quash those subpoenas on Wednesday. The $400 million Qatari jet was donated to the U.S. in 2025. Unlike its predecessor, the jet is not painted in the light blue color which had become closely associated with the presidential plane. Instead, the aircraft sports a navy-blue underside with bright red and gold stripes. Trump previously claimed to reporters that the U.S. “couldn’t build a plane like this,” suggesting that the country would be unwilling to “spend the kind of money necessary.” The Independent has contacted the FBI for comment. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments [Image text:] OF STATES UNITED 00000000