Play store
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday confirmed that he secretly switched planes during a trip to Turkey after a threat to his life emerged, following reports that he was covertly moved from Air Force One to another aircraft.
Trump said he followed instructions to board a different plane after being told there was a security threat, although he said he did not ask for further details.
“I guess there was a threat out there. I didn’t really ask too much about it,” he told reporters.
The reported security operation took place on July 8 while Trump was in Turkey. He initially boarded Air Force One in full view of journalists and photographers but was later secretly moved to a smaller US Air Force aircraft positioned nearby.
According to reports, Trump left Air Force One through a cargo container on a catering truck before the presidential aircraft departed. The plane, carrying journalists and senior aides, then left Turkey without Trump on board.
The journalists travelling aboard Air Force One were reportedly unaware of the switch and remained on the aircraft despite the apparent security threat. The episode prompted criticism from some members of the travelling press, who said they had unknowingly been used as potential decoys and were not informed about the danger.
Trump defended the decision, saying the aircraft he ultimately boarded may have been considered a more likely target.
“I think actually the plane that I flew on was at greater risk,” he said.
About a dozen journalists were travelling in a separate section of Air Force One and had no access to Trump when the switch took place. They flew out of Turkey on the presidential aircraft while the threat remained a concern.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel had warned the United States about a possible shoulder-fired missile attack targeting Air Force One. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was among senior officials and staff who remained aboard the aircraft.
Journalists travelling with Trump also reported that the Secret Service ordered window shades to be lowered during takeoff, an unusual precaution outside a combat zone.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called for Congress to receive a briefing on the reported Iranian threats against Trump and the extraordinary measures taken to move him off Air Force One.
The security concerns emerged during Trump’s trip to a NATO summit, which had already drawn attention after he arrived aboard a luxury Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar.
The aircraft, which was being considered for future presidential use, was reportedly not equipped with the same anti-missile protection as Air Force One. Trump therefore used the traditional presidential aircraft for part of the trip.
Trump had previously said the Qatar-gifted aircraft was being sent ahead for US troops in Britain to tour. He later returned to it for his flight to Washington.
When asked why journalists had been instructed to lower their window shades during the earlier flight, Trump said they were probably on a dangerous flight because of threats facing him.
Presidential decoy operations are not unprecedented. In 2000, then-President Bill Clinton switched presidential aircraft at the last minute while travelling from India to Pakistan, with a decoy plane carrying Secret Service agents.
Former President Joe Biden’s 2023 visit to Ukraine was also conducted under extensive secrecy because of security concerns. His journey involved both air and rail travel, with a reporter and photographer accompanying him.