Trump secretly switched planes amid reported Iran assassination threat

By Dominic Wabwireh with AP

President Donald Trump secretly switched from Air Force One to a smaller military aircraft after last month’s NATO summit in Ankara, according to The Washington Post, in an elaborate security operation reportedly prompted by an Iranian threat against him.

Trump was publicly seen boarding an older-model Air Force One at Ankara airport after the NATO summit, leading journalists and some White House staff to believe he would fly aboard the presidential jet to Britain.

But according to the Post, Trump was secretly transferred minutes later to a smaller Air Force C-32A.

The newspaper reported that Trump and several aides used an airport catering truck to move between aircraft without being seen by those outside the operation.

The Associated Press has not independently confirmed the report.

Reported threat prompts precautions
The operation was reportedly driven by concerns over a potential Iranian assassination attempt against Trump as the conflict between the United States and Iran intensified.

The New York Times and CBS News had previously reported that U.S. intelligence officials raised concerns about a possible attack against the president or his aircraft, prompting additional security measures.

The White House did not directly respond to questions about the reported aircraft switch. The Secret Service also declined to comment, while the Air Force referred questions to the White House.

Journalists kept in the dark
The operation was designed to make it appear that Trump remained aboard the older Air Force One jet.

A small group of reporters travelling with the president was instructed to lower window shades before takeoff.

Trump instead flew to Royal Air Force Mildenhall in Britain aboard the C-32A, while the legacy Air Force One aircraft continued on its publicly expected route.

Photographers at Mildenhall later captured Trump disembarking from the presidential aircraft, creating the impression that he had travelled aboard it from Ankara.

Qatar jet adds another layer
Trump had travelled to the NATO summit aboard a newly refurbished Boeing aircraft gifted by Qatar, which is intended to become a future Air Force One.

Ahead of his return journey, Trump said the new aircraft would be flown separately to allow U.S. troops stationed in eastern England to inspect it.

The aircraft was later used for the final leg of Trump’s journey from Mildenhall to Washington.

The Qatar-provided jet had already become a focus of security concerns following reports that intelligence officials had advised against using it for the first leg of the return journey.

Trump subsequently said the aircraft would undergo additional security upgrades.

Trump acknowledges ongoing threat
During the flight, Trump was asked whether there was a credible Iranian threat against Air Force One.

“Well, I have a threat all the time. I’m number one on their list before you,” Trump told reporters.

He then warned the journalists travelling with him: “But if I go, you go.”

The reported operation offers a rare glimpse into the extraordinary security measures surrounding presidential travel as Washington remains engaged in a confrontation with Tehran.