Report says Trump used decoy aircraft after alleged Iranian threat during Turkey trip

Ankara, Turkey. U.S. President Donald Trump secretly switched aircraft before departing Turkey for Britain last month in an operation reportedly prompted by a credible Iranian assassination threat, the Washington Post said.

Reported aircraft switch

The White House had said Trump was flying from Turkey to Britain aboard Air Force One after attending a NATO summit. However, the Washington Post reported on Monday, citing unnamed sources, that he left the aircraft shortly after boarding and was transported in an airport catering truck to another plane.

The New York Times published a similar account, citing unnamed U.S. officials.

According to the Washington Post, Trump boarded an older Air Force One in front of cameras in Ankara before being transferred to a smaller Air Force C-32A aircraft for the journey to Britain. The older aircraft was effectively used as a decoy, the report said.

New aircraft and stated itinerary

Trump had travelled to Ankara aboard a newly renovated jet donated by Qatar, marking the aircraft’s first international trip. Its rapid upgrades had prompted questions about cost and security as hostilities with Iran, which borders Turkey, escalated.

Before leaving Ankara, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he would take an older baby blue Air Force One “for old time’s sake” to RAF Mildenhall in Britain. He said the newer aircraft would also stop at the base so U.S. service members stationed there could tour it.

Security measures

The Washington Post said the operation followed a credible threat against Trump. It noted that a similar measure was used in 2000, when President Bill Clinton flew into Pakistan on an unmarked executive jet while the official Air Force One served as a decoy.

Journalists who believed they were travelling with Trump aboard the older Air Force One said they were told to keep the window shades in the press cabin closed. The report said some White House staff also believed the president was on board.

Asked later why the shades had remained closed, Trump said it was because they were “probably on a dangerous flight.” He added: “But if I go, you go. Right?”