President Donald Trump was secretly moved from Air Force One to a smaller military aircraft while leaving a NATO summit in Turkey last month, according to reports, after U.S. officials detected what was described as a credible Iranian threat against the president or his aircraft.
The operation reportedly involved transporting Trump in an airport catering truck while journalists and some White House staff remained unaware that he had left the presidential jet.
Trump publicly boarded the older Air Force One at Ankara airport on July 8 after announcing that he would use the aircraft “for old time’s sake,” rather than the newer Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar.
According to the Washington Post and New York Times, Trump was subsequently moved in a catering truck to a C-32A military aircraft, a modified Boeing 757.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly boarded the smaller aircraft separately using external stairs, helping make the flight appear routine.
Journalists and some White House staff boarded the older Air Force One believing Trump remained aboard and were instructed to close their window shades.
The C-32A carrying Trump then flew to Britain, where it arrived shortly before the older presidential aircraft carrying the media.
Trump was reportedly transported by vehicle to the older Air Force One after arriving in Britain, allowing him to descend from the aircraft publicly at RAF Mildenhall before later transferring to the Qatar-donated jet for the flight to Washington.
The reported deception followed renewed U.S. military strikes on Iran after negotiations between Washington and Tehran to end the war broke down.
Trump had said during the summit that he was Iran’s “number one target.”
The White House has not directly confirmed the reported aircraft switch.
Communications director Steven Cheung said the administration uses every available tool to address threats against the president.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the new Air Force One was safe for presidential travel but would receive additional upgrades and enhancements in the fall.