U.S. President Donald Trump utilized a covert military transport from Turkey recently due to an intelligence warning of a potential Iranian assassination plot, involving a discreet aircraft transfer using a catering truck. Initially, the White House had announced Trump’s journey from Turkey to Britain aboard Air Force One after a NATO summit. However, upon boarding Air Force One, Trump switched to another aircraft secretly via the catering truck for the flight to Britain, as reported by The Washington Post, citing undisclosed sources.
Acknowledging the incident, Trump disclosed on Tuesday that the Secret Service and military recommended the aircraft change due to a perceived threat, which he claimed did not intimidate him. He minimized the perceived risk to the individuals left on the original plane, including White House officials, security personnel, and journalists. Trump mentioned to reporters, following his return from an Ohio event, that he had limited involvement in the decision, stating, “They wanted me to go on a different flight, different plane.”
Regarding the security concern, Trump clarified that he was unaware of specific details about the threat, emphasizing that he regularly receives various threats. Additionally, he highlighted the Secret Service and military’s insistence on the plane change, indicating his compliance with their directives.
The plane switch raised security inquiries as Trump had traveled to the NATO summit in Ankara on a newly renovated jet donated by Qatar. Surprisingly, he opted for an older Air Force One when departing, sparking inquiries about the security of the new plane. This decision was made amid escalating tensions with Iran, which shares borders with Turkey.
Before departing Ankara, Trump announced via his social media platform, Truth Social, his choice to use an older baby blue Air Force One for the journey to RAF Mildenhall in Britain, while the newer plane stopped at the same base to allow U.S. service members stationed there to tour it.
Journalists who believed they were flying with Trump on the older Air Force One, which was used as a diversion, were instructed to keep their window shades closed during the flight. According to The Washington Post, some White House staff members also mistakenly assumed that the president was on board the older aircraft.
Responding to questions about the closed window shades during the flight, Trump cited safety concerns, suggesting it was a precaution for a potentially risky flight. He underscored his stance by stating, “But if I go, you go. Right?”