Trump secretly flew out of Ankara on backup jet over Iran threat
Trump secretly left Ankara on a smaller military jet after an Iranian threat, using a catering truck transfer and decoy plane.
President Donald Trump was secretly flown out of last month's NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on an alternate military aircraft, according to a report. The operation, prompted by an Iranian assassination threat, involved a decoy flight on the older Air Force One jet while Trump traveled on a smaller C-32A plane.
After boarding the legacy Air Force One jet in view of cameras, Trump and aides were transferred via an airport catering truck to the smaller aircraft. Journalists and some staff were kept unaware, with window shades lowered before takeoff. The president later reboarded the main plane at Royal Air Force Mildenhall in the UK.
The White House did not directly confirm the operation but said it uses all available tools to address threats. The Secret Service declined to comment, and the Air Force referred questions to the White House. The move came amid U.S. military strikes in Iran and heightened security concerns.
A former Secret Service agent called the move unusual but not unprecedented, citing either actionable intelligence or caution. Senator Richard Blumenthal called for a congressional investigation, describing the incident as "downright scary." Trump, when asked about threats, said he is always a target but added, "If I go, you go."