U.S. President Donald Trump undertook a covert military journey from Turkey recently due to an Iranian threat, involving a maneuver where he switched planes using a catering truck. Initially, the White House stated that Trump was flying on Air Force One from Turkey to Britain after attending a NATO summit. However, shortly after boarding Air Force One, Trump departed secretly through a catering truck and moved to a different aircraft for the journey to Britain, as per sources cited by the Washington Post.
Confirming the incident the following day, Trump mentioned that the Secret Service and military recommended he switch planes due to a perceived threat, which he claimed did not intimidate him. He minimized the perceived risk to the individuals remaining on the initial plane, including White House officials, security personnel, and reporters. Trump explained to reporters upon his return from an event in Ohio that he had limited involvement in the decision, stating, “I guess there was a threat out there. I didn’t really ask too much about it,” noting that he regularly receives threats.
Trump had initially flown to Ankara on a recently upgraded jet donated by Qatar for the NATO summit. However, he surprisingly opted to use an older Air Force One when departing Turkey, sparking inquiries about the security of the newer aircraft. The journey to NATO marked the new plane’s first international trip, raising concerns about its expenses and security, amidst escalating tensions with Iran, Turkey’s neighboring country.
Before leaving Ankara, Trump announced on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he would fly to RAF Mildenhall in Britain on an older baby blue Air Force One for nostalgic reasons, while the new plane halted at the same base for U.S. service members to tour it. Journalists, who believed they were accompanying Trump on the older Air Force One, which was essentially a decoy, were instructed to keep their window shades closed in the press cabin. Some White House staff members also mistakenly thought the president was on the older aircraft.
When questioned by reporters about the need to keep window shades shut during the flight, Trump remarked that it was likely due to the flight being considered risky. He further added, “But if I go, you go. Right?”