Trump Used Secret Aircraft Switch to Exit Turkey After NATO Summit Amid Iran Threat
Apnews · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
President Donald Trump secretly switched aircraft during his departure from Turkey following last month's NATO summit in Ankara, using Air Force One as a decoy while being whisked out on a smaller military plane due to an Iranian assassination threat, The Washington Post reported. The elaborate ruse involved misleading journalists and White House staff about the president's actual location during the security operation. Trump had arrived in Turkey aboard a newly gifted Qatari Boeing 747 but departed on a different aircraft to enhance security precautions.
Key Points
- Trump attended the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where he arrived on a new red, white and navy blue Boeing 747 provided by Qatar
- Ahead of departure, Trump announced he would fly on an older-model baby blue Air Force One to allow U.S. troops at RAF Mildenhall to inspect the new jet
- He appeared to board the baby blue Air Force One on camera but was actually transferred to a smaller Air Force C-32A aircraft via a catering truck
- The operation was prompted by an Iranian assassination threat against the president, according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter
- White House staff and journalists traveling with the delegation were unaware of the switch at the time of departure
Why It Matters
The incident highlights the escalating security concerns surrounding presidential overseas travel and the sophisticated measures employed to protect the commander-in-chief. The White House's acknowledgment that "enemies of America have their sights on him" underscores the persistent threats facing the president during international engagements.
The incident highlights the escalating security concerns surrounding presidential overseas travel and the sophisticated measures employed to protect the commander-in-chief. The White House's acknowledgment that "enemies of America have their sights on him" underscores the persistent threats facing the president during international engagements.