Donald Trump was secretly moved off Air Force One in a catering truck in Turkey last month after intelligence reports suggested an Iranian assassination plot, according to The Washington Post. The US president was transferred to a smaller military plane and flown to Royal Air Force Mildenhall in the UK, while the White House press corps and even some senior aides on Air Force One were unaware of the switch.
How the ruse unfolded
The president had flown to the NATO summit in Ankara on a new Qatari-gifted and retrofitted jet with red, white, and navy-blue colors. Before departing Turkey, he announced he would fly partway home on an older-model baby blue Air Force One plane, saying the new jet was being flown ahead to give US troops in England a chance to inspect it.
Trump boarded the old Air Force One in full view of television cameras, but minutes later he was secretly shuttled off and escorted to an Air Force C-32A via an airport catering truck typically used for loading meals and supplies. He then flew to Mildenhall on the smaller jet, while the press corps and aides remained on the original aircraft, believing he was still aboard.
Security concerns and official response
Several reports last month claimed intelligence sources had flagged concerns about a potential attack on the president or his plane. The US had recently carried out large strikes in Iran in retaliation for attacks on merchant shipping in the region.
The White House did not respond directly to questions about the Post report, but communications director Steven Cheung previously said: '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.'
Expert analysis and Trump's comments
Paul Eckloff, a former special agent with the Secret Service, told the Associated Press that such a move could reflect actionable intelligence or an abundance of caution given regional volatility with wars in Iran and Ukraine. He said: 'I would not say unprecedented, but it is an unusual occurrence.'
During a gaggle with reporters aboard the aircraft, Trump was asked directly if there were any credible threats on Air Force One by Iran. He replied: 'Well, I have a threat all the time. I'm number one on their list before you.' He added: 'But if I go, you go.'
Impact and implications
The revelation underscores the heightened security measures surrounding the president amid ongoing tensions with Iran. The use of a catering truck to move a president is a stark example of the extraordinary precautions taken when credible threats are perceived. The incident also highlights the challenges of protecting a high-profile leader in volatile geopolitical environments.
