US President Donald Trump was secretly transferred from one aircraft to another before leaving Turkey for Britain last month after an alleged assassination threat from Iran, according to reports by The Washington Post and The New York Times.
The reported security operation occurred during Trump’s visit to Ankara for a NATO summit involving several world leaders.
Trump was initially seen boarding the former Air Force One in front of television cameras. However, according to the Post, he was later moved to a smaller military aircraft in a covert operation involving an airport catering truck.
A US official told the newspaper that the switch was prompted by a credible threat linked to Iran.
The New York Times reported separately that the White House went to considerable lengths to conceal Trump’s actual location, with even some members of his travelling staff unaware that he was no longer aboard the aircraft they believed was carrying him.
The White House had announced that Trump would leave Turkey on July 8 aboard the former Air Force One. The president had also said on Truth Social that he would use the older Boeing 747 instead of the newer Boeing 747-8 aircraft donated to the United States by Qatar.
The Qatar-donated aircraft had flown Trump to Turkey on what was its first international journey. The aircraft has attracted significant attention because of the extensive security modifications required before it can be used as a presidential aircraft.
Before departing Ankara, Trump told reporters that he would return to Britain aboard the older blue-and-white Air Force One “for old time’s sake”. He said the newer aircraft would also travel to RAF Mildenhall, where American military personnel would be allowed to tour it.
But according to the Post, Trump was secretly moved to a third aircraft before being transferred back to the older Air Force One shortly before departure.
The president reportedly entered the presidential aircraft through a different entrance and later appeared on its stairs in full view of reporters, giving the impression that he had remained aboard throughout the journey.
Members of the travelling press pool were reportedly instructed to keep their window shades closed during the flight. Some White House officials travelling with the president were also said to have believed that Trump was aboard Air Force One.
When questioned about the instruction, Trump joked that the journalists were “probably on a dangerous flight”.
“But if I go, you go. Right?” he added.
The C-32A aircraft reportedly carrying Trump arrived in Britain at around 10:20pm local time, ahead of the older Air Force One and the travelling press corps.
Trump later emerged from the older presidential aircraft at approximately 10:56pm, flashed a peace sign at reporters and greeted US service members before walking towards the Qatar-donated aircraft.
The reported operation echoes a similar security tactic used during former President Bill Clinton’s 2000 visit to Pakistan. Clinton was transported into the country aboard an unmarked executive aircraft, while Air Force One reportedly served as a decoy.
The White House defended the decision to conceal Trump’s movements, citing security concerns.
White House communications director Steve Cheung said the Qatar-donated aircraft had been fitted with high-level security measures to protect Trump and members of his team.
“As the president has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him, and we use every tool at our disposal to address those threats,” Cheung said.
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