US President Donald Trump reportedly made a secret aircraft change during his departure from a NATO summit in Turkey last month after American intelligence detected a credible threat that Iran could target his plane.
Key Highlights:
- Donald Trump reportedly switched aircraft secretly after US intelligence detected a credible threat from Iran targeting his plane.
- The reported incident occurred after the NATO summit in Turkey on July 8.
- Trump initially boarded the older Air Force One in front of television cameras at Ankara airport.
- He was reportedly transferred secretly to a smaller C-32A military jet, commonly used by the US vice-president.
- An elevated catering truck allegedly concealed the transfer from public view.
According to reports by the Washington Post and CBS News, Trump boarded the older Air Force One in full view of television cameras at Ankara airport on July 8.
However, he was reportedly moved from the presidential aircraft to a smaller C-32A military jet through an elevated catering truck positioned on the opposite side of the plane.
The unusual operation was allegedly designed to conceal Trump’s location and prevent potential attackers from knowing which aircraft he was travelling on.
The C-32A, a modified Boeing 757 frequently used by the US vice-president, reportedly departed separately. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth boarded the aircraft using external stairs to make the operation appear routine.
Meanwhile, journalists and some White House staff boarded the old Air Force One and were reportedly instructed to keep the aircraft’s window shades closed. They allegedly did not know that Trump was no longer on board.
Trump later travelled to the United Kingdom aboard the smaller military aircraft before rejoining the old Air Force One at RAF Mildenhall.
He was then photographed leaving the aircraft before transferring to the newer Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar for the final leg to Washington.
The White House has not directly confirmed the reported plane switch.
During his flight from the UK to the US, however, Trump acknowledged that he faced a serious security threat from Iran.
He said he was Iran’s “number one” target and suggested that the danger extended to journalists travelling with him.
Read also:
- Iran Prepares For Historic Funeral As Khamenei Lies In State
- Biden’s Cancer Has Spread To His Bones, Son Reveals
- Netanyahu Rejects Trump’s Peace Plan, Insists Hamas Must Disarm
- No More Fake Fuel Promises, Tinubu Stopped the Bleeding
Trump had earlier arrived in Turkey aboard the newer Qatar-donated aircraft but said he intended to return on the older Air Force One “for old time’s sake”.
The reported security operation came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and renewed US military strikes on Iran following a breakdown in negotiations.
US intelligence had previously warned of a specific threat against Trump or his aircraft, CBS News reported.
Security concerns have also surrounded the Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8. The New York Times previously reported that Secret Service officials had recommended that Trump switch aircraft following the NATO summit.
The US government has spent months modifying the estimated $400 million aircraft for presidential use. Older Air Force One aircraft are equipped with advanced defensive systems, including technology designed to counter incoming missiles, although it remains unclear which comparable systems are currently installed on the Qatar-donated jet.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the new Air Force One was “perfectly safe” for Trump’s travels but would undergo additional upgrades and enhancements later in the year.
The Justice Department is separately investigating alleged leaks of classified or sensitive information surrounding the aircraft’s security arrangements, after New York Times journalists were subpoenaed over their reporting.
The reported plane switch highlights the extraordinary security measures being considered to protect the US president amid continuing tensions with Iran.
