August 12, 2026
US President Donald Trump has revealed that he secretly switched aircraft while leaving Turkey following last month’s NATO summit because US officials believed there was a potential threat against him.
Trump said the decision was made on the advice of the US Secret Service and military officials, who wanted him to leave the country on a different aircraft rather than the plane he had publicly boarded. (Reuters)
The unusual security operation took place after the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, in July. Trump had arrived aboard a newly refurbished Boeing 747 that had been donated by Qatar, but authorities became concerned about a threat reportedly linked to Iran.
Secret change of aircraft
Trump publicly boarded the traditional Air Force One in front of cameras, creating the impression that he would use the aircraft for his journey from Turkey.
Instead, according to reports, he was secretly moved from the aircraft using an airport catering vehicle and taken to a smaller US military aircraft. The operation was designed to conceal his actual location and prevent a potential attacker from knowing which plane the president was aboard. (The Washington Post)
Trump later said he had been told there was a threat but did not appear overly concerned about the incident.
“I have a lot of threats,” Trump said, while explaining that he followed the advice of security officials.
Questions over presidential security
The revelation has raised questions about the security of presidential travel and the decision to keep the operation secret from some members of the travelling White House team and journalists.
The White House had initially maintained that Trump was aboard Air Force One when it departed Turkey. The full details of the operation only emerged weeks later after media reports investigated the unusual flight arrangements. (The Washington Post)
The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, with US officials remaining alert to possible threats against American leaders and personnel.
For now, Trump has defended the decision to change aircraft, saying the Secret Service and military were acting to protect him.
