The US president arrived in Dublin on the controversially gifted Boeing aircraft given to him by the Qatari royal family. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.

Garda vehicles were present as US president Donald Trump arrived on Air Force One at Dublin airport. The $400m ‘palace in the sky’ was converted for presidential use, but questions remain over how well equipped it is to protect the president from potential threats.

During a trip to Turkey in July, Trump was reportedly moved off the aircraft after a possible Iranian threat, while other senior officials and journalists remained on board.

As the Guardian’s Joseph Gedeon reports, the circumstances surrounding the incident were rather dramatic:

«It later emerged that Trump had in fact been spirited away via a catering truck on to a separate, older aircraft after officials learned of a possible Iranian threat in Ankara, leaving the plane he had boarded to fly on as a decoy. Aboard the original, possibly targeted flight were the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio; the treasury secretary, Scott Bessent; several senior aides; and the traveling press pool – the latter, who were definitely not told about the threat, were asked to keep their window shades closed.»

Trump’s visit to Ireland will last two days. His schedule includes official meetings and events in Dublin. The visit takes place amid controversy over the Qatari-gifted aircraft, as although it was converted for presidential use, questions have arisen about its security capabilities.

The Boeing, used as the US presidential aircraft, is valued at $400m. It was given by the Qatari royal family. The aircraft was converted to meet presidential needs, but questions remain about the effectiveness of its defense systems.

The incident during the July trip to Turkey has intensified these concerns. While Trump was in Ankara, after learning of a possible Iranian threat, he was moved off the original aircraft and transferred to another. This process was carried out via a catering truck. The first plane he had boarded was left as a decoy.

Aboard that flight were US secretary of state Marco Rubio, treasury secretary Scott Bessent, several senior aides, and the traveling press pool. The press pool was not told about the threat and was asked to keep their window shades closed.

This incident has further raised questions about the security of the presidential aircraft and the procedures for its use. Trump’s arrival in Dublin also takes place amid these controversies.