US President Donald Trump secretly flew out of Turkey aboard a US military aircraft last month after an Iranian assassination threat, despite the White House publicly indicating that he was travelling on an older Air Force One, The Washington Post reported Monday.
Trump had arrived in Ankara aboard a newly renovated Boeing 747 donated by Qatar for the NATO summit. However, he unexpectedly departed Turkey using an older Air Force One aircraft, raising questions about the security arrangements surrounding the new presidential plane.
According to the Washington Post, Trump was secretly transferred from the older Air Force One to a smaller Air Force C-32A at Ankara airport before flying to Britain.
The newspaper cited a US official familiar with the operation and said the account was supported by material it reviewed.
Older Air Force One used as decoy
Trump’s visit to the NATO summit marked the first international trip aboard the new Qatar-donated aircraft.
Before leaving Ankara, Trump had announced on Truth Social that he would use an older Air Force One “for old time’s sake” to travel to RAF Mildenhall in Britain.
He said the new aircraft would also stop at the British base so US service members could tour the plane.
After Trump boarded the older Air Force One in front of journalists, he was reportedly transported secretly in an airport catering truck to a waiting C-32A aircraft.
The operation was reportedly prompted by what US officials considered a credible threat against the president.
Journalists travelling aboard the older Air Force One were instructed to keep the window shades in the press cabin closed. Some White House staff also reportedly believed Trump was travelling with them on the aircraft.
When reporters later asked Trump why they had been told to keep the shades closed, he replied that they were “probably on a dangerous flight”.
“But if I go, you go. Right?” Trump added.
Trump demands Iran pay compensation for ‘50 years of damage’
Trump arrives in Britain separately
The C-32A carrying Trump arrived in Britain at around 10:20pm, according to the report. The older Air Force One, carrying members of the media, arrived several minutes later.
It remains unclear how Trump was transferred back to the older presidential aircraft.
Trump’s travelling press pool reported that he descended the stairs of the older Air Force One at approximately 10:56pm local time.
He briefly gave journalists a peace sign but did not approach them for questions. Trump then greeted US service members before making his way to the new Qatar-donated aircraft.
White House confirms security concerns
Asked about the reported secret flight, White House Communications Director Steve Cheung said the Qatar-donated aircraft had been equipped with high-level security protocols designed to protect the president and his staff.
“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,” Cheung said.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Qatar-donated Air Force One
The new presidential aircraft, featuring a red, white, dark blue and gold colour scheme selected by Trump, is a Boeing 747 donated to the United States by Qatar.
The aircraft was subsequently refitted by defence contractor L3Harris Technologies and is intended to serve as a temporary presidential aircraft while Boeing continues work on the delayed next-generation Air Force One planes.
The reported security operation highlights the extraordinary measures taken to protect the US president amid heightened tensions with Iran and growing concerns over potential threats against Trump.
