White House Directed Patel to Oversee Investigation Involving Times Reporting
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-07-11 23:08:00 — www.nytimes.com
Trump’s False Claims and Escalating Pressure on Journalists Over Air Force One Security
President Trump has repeatedly described the Qatari-donated jet used as Air Force One as “cost free to the United States.” However, this claim is contradicted by officials who confirm that hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars were spent to upgrade the plane’s security systems. Despite Trump’s assertion that the plane was upgraded with all necessary security “bells and whistles,” reporting by The New York Times revealed that the jet lacks the advanced defensive countermeasures—including antimissile capabilities—that were features of the previous Air Force One. Security experts warn that this omission poses a risk not only to the president but also to staff, Secret Service, journalists, and guests traveling aboard.
Trump’s Response to Security Concerns
Trump’s reaction to media coverage of these security shortcomings was one of anger, according to officials familiar with his comments. After the Secret Service expressed concerns and urged him to switch back to the old Air Force One during a trip overseas, Trump publicly claimed on social media that he was taking the older plane to the United Kingdom for “old time’s sake” and to show the new jet to U.S. troops. This explanation stands in contrast to the reported security concerns that prompted the change.
Aggressive Leak Investigation and Intimidation of Journalists
Following The Times’s reporting on the plane’s vulnerabilities, the White House, at Trump’s direction, involved Kash Patel, the F.B.I. director, in an aggressive leak investigation. Patel ran the investigation from the White House—a break from historical norms that typically keep the F.B.I. independent from White House influence in such matters. The administration quickly issued subpoenas to Times reporters, demanding their testimony before a grand jury, a move widely seen as an attempt to intimidate journalists and suppress coverage.
Fact-Check: Trump’s Claims Do Not Match Reality
- Claim: The Qatari jet was “cost free to the United States.”
Fact: Hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars were spent on security upgrades. - Claim: The plane was upgraded with all necessary security “bells and whistles.”
Fact: The new jet lacks key defensive systems, including advanced antimissile capabilities, present on the old Air Force One.
Conclusion
President Trump’s repeated false claims about the cost and security of the Qatari-donated Air Force One, combined with his administration’s unprecedented pressure on journalists, highlight a pattern of misinformation and attacks on press freedom. The administration’s actions mark a sharp departure from established norms, raising concerns about transparency, accountability, and the safety of those traveling with the president.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/us/politics/white-house-patel-investigation-times.html