Trump's Turkey departure involved secret plane switch amid Iran threat: Report
The White House had announced that Trump would return on the older aircraft rather than the recently refurbished Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar
US President Donald Trump’s departure from Turkey following the NATO Summit appeared routine, but a media report claimed that it was part of a carefully planned security operation triggered by a credible Iranian assassination threat.
According to a Washington Post report, television cameras showed the US President arriving at Ankara airport, boarding the familiar blue-and-white Air Force One, and waving before takeoff.
The White House had announced that Trump would return on the older aircraft rather than the recently refurbished Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar. Trump even described the decision as nostalgic, saying he would use the former Air Force One "for old time's sake" so US troops in Britain could see the aircraft.
Secret aircraft switch
According to the report, that account was misleading. After boarding Air Force One, Trump and several aides were secretly moved onto a smaller C-32A military jet.
The transfer was carried out using an airport catering truck normally used to load food and supplies. Positioned on the hidden side of the aircraft, the truck’s container was raised to door level, allowing the president and his team to leave without being spotted.
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Footage reviewed by the newspaper showed the truck crossing the tarmac toward a nearby C-32A, a modified Boeing 757 used for senior government travel. Soon afterwards, a suited figure was seen boarding the aircraft.
Meanwhile, Air Force One remained part of a deception plan, with journalists and even some White House personnel believing Trump was still aboard.
Decoy flight operation
The report further stated that the Qatar-provided Boeing 747-8 had already departed Turkey earlier on July 8. Later, the decoy Air Force One and the C-32A landed in Britain only minutes apart, preserving the appearance that Trump had travelled on the larger aircraft.
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While uncommon, the tactic is not without precedent. The report stated that similar security measures have been used when presidents faced serious threats or travelled to dangerous locations.
It cited Bill Clinton’s trip to Pakistan in 2000 as one example, while former officials said Air Force One has occasionally been used as a decoy during high-risk missions.
Focus on Qatar jet
The episode has also renewed scrutiny of the Qatar-gifted Boeing 747-8. The report stated that the aircraft lacks some defensive systems carried by the older Air Force One. Trump recently said further upgrades would be made.
The White House pushed back against security concerns, with Communications Director Steven Cheung stating that the aircraft is equipped with "high-level security protocols" to protect the president and his staff.