Trump secretly switched planes after Iran threat, Rubio and Bessent flew on decoy jet

President Donald Trump was secretly moved to a smaller military jet for the return leg of his trip from last month's NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, after intelligence raised concerns about a potential Iranian attack. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the two most senior Cabinet members, remained on the original aircraft, which effectively served as a decoy, a senior U.S. official said Wednesday.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive travel details, said Rubio was aware of the switch and the underlying threat, though it was unclear why he stayed on the plane. Bessent was likely aware but this could not be confirmed. The official noted that security measures for the president are far more extensive than those for even the highest-ranking Cabinet officials, who follow the vice president and congressional leaders in the line of succession.

Trump had flown to the summit aboard a newly retrofitted red, white, and navy blue jet gifted by Qatar. Before departing, he publicly stated he would fly partway home on an older, baby blue Air Force One to allow U.S. troops in eastern England to inspect the new aircraft. Reports later revealed that Trump was not on that older plane; he was instead smuggled onto another jet via a catering cart, while journalists and some White House staff were led to believe they were traveling with him.

Trump acknowledged the transfer late Tuesday, saying he simply follows the guidance of the Secret Service and the military. "They wanted me to go on a different flight, a different plane, equal safety, but they wanted me to do it, so I do it, I do what they say," he told reporters at Joint Base Andrews.