Shortly before departing the NATO summit in Turkey late last month, President Trump was secretly moved from Air Force One to a different aircraft. According to a U.S. official with direct knowledge of the situation, the president slipped away from the primary jet and was transported to another plane under the cover of an airport catering truck.
This clandestine operation was prompted by intelligence indicating a credible threat from Iran and its proxies. U.S. officials had detected a plot to target the president’s aircraft with a missile as it departed Ankara. During the summit, Mr. Trump had publicly acknowledged the heightened risks, referring to himself as Iran’s “number one target.” The Washington Post was the first to report on the secret plane-switching maneuver.
On July 8, hours before the departure, Mr. Trump announced he would fly in the older Air Force One rather than the newer, Qatari-donated jet he had arrived in. He claimed the switch was “for old time’s sake” and suggested the newer plane would undergo inspections during a refueling stop in the United Kingdom. However, sources indicate the Secret Service had advised using the older aircraft for security reasons.
Press footage from the scene showed the president boarding the older jet, with a catering truck positioned on the opposite side. Minutes later, the truck departed for a different government aircraft, identified as an Air Force C-32A. Mr. Trump then traveled to the U.K. on that separate plane, while his staff and members of the press remained on the original Air Force One, unaware that the president was not on board.
During the flight from Ankara, reporters were instructed to keep their window shades closed. When questioned about this, Mr. Trump remarked that they were “probably on a dangerous flight because of the sleazebags that we have to deal with.” The administration never publicly disclosed that the press corps was effectively traveling on a decoy aircraft.
Upon reaching the United Kingdom, Mr. Trump transferred to the newer Air Force One, which had been retrofitted with advanced security features. He later spoke with reporters while flying across the Atlantic to Washington, D.C. The newer aircraft, which debuted in June, was recently sent for further security upgrades following public questions regarding its defensive capabilities.
Responding to inquiries about the Turkey incident, White House communications director Steven Cheung did not address the specific tactical switch. In a statement, he noted that the new Air Force One is a state-of-the-art aircraft equipped with high-level security protocols. He added that because many enemies have their sights on the president, the administration utilizes every available tool to mitigate those threats. The Air Force has maintained that the new presidential plane is safe, secure, and equipped with the necessary technologies to fulfill the presidential mission. Meanwhile, several administration officials expressed frustration that these classified protective procedures were leaked, warning that such disclosures could limit future security operations.
