Did Trump secretly flee Ankara fearing Iran attack?
According to the Washington Post, he was secretly taken to a military plane using a catering truck.
You may recall that U.S. President Donald Trump had stated during the summit in Ankara that he is Iran's number one target. Is it due to this fear that Trump secretly changed planes while departing from the NATO summit in Turkey last month? According to reports from the American media, a highly confidential and detailed plan was devised for security, considering the potential threat from Iran.
The U.S. President first boarded Air Force One in front of television cameras. However, according to the Washington Post, he was then secretly transferred to a military plane with the help of a catering truck. Even journalists on Air Force One and some White House staff were unaware that the President had been moved from there.
White House officials told CBS News that,
the U.S. had received credible intelligence that Iran might launch a missile at the President's plane. However, the White House has not confirmed this secret operation of changing planes. This covert operation took place after talks to end the war between the U.S. and Iran broke down, and the U.S. resumed military strikes on Iran.
Trump had arrived in Turkey on a new Boeing 747-8 plane gifted by Qatar, but he had announced that he would return on the old Air Force One. In a video released on July 8, Trump was seen boarding the President's plane at Ankara Airport. But according to the Washington Post, he was then secretly transferred to a smaller C-32A military aircraft. This is a modified version of the Boeing 757, often used by the U.S. Vice President. A catering truck was raised to the height of the plane, and Trump was taken out from the side opposite to where he had initially boarded.
The Washington Post first reported this secret security plan, which was later confirmed by CNN. This shows that,
U.S. officials went to great lengths to protect Trump from a potential assassination attempt by Iran.
Trump had arrived in Turkey on the new plane gifted by Qatar, which was to be used as Air Force One. However, during the journey, officials announced that he would return on the old presidential plane. CNN and other media outlets had earlier reported that this decision was made due to security concerns. But it has now emerged that this announcement was possibly part of the entire secret plan. After boarding the old plane in front of cameras, Trump quietly exited through a catering vehicle and moved to the smaller Air Force C-32A aircraft.
Subsequently, the plane gifted by Qatar, the old plane used as Air Force One, and the C-32A—all departed separately for the UK. Upon reaching the UK, Trump boarded the plane gifted by Qatar again and departed for the U.S.
According to the newspaper, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth boarded the C-32A separately using external stairs to make the flight appear normal.
Journalists and some White House staff boarded Air Force One. According to the report,
they were asked to close the window shades of the plane. They were unaware that the President was no longer on that plane. Trump then reached the UK on his way to the U.S., where he boarded the old Air Force One again. After landing at RAF Mildenhall, he was seen disembarking from the same plane. However, it is unclear how he returned from the C-32A to the old presidential plane. During that flight, Trump spoke to journalists on the plane and mentioned the threats from Iran, but did not disclose the earlier secret plane change.
When Trump was asked why journalists were asked to lower the window shades while flying from Turkey, he said,
his life is "constantly at risk" and he is "number one" on Iran's list.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung neither confirmed nor denied these reports directly. However, he stated that the new Air Force One is a "state-of-the-art aircraft" equipped with necessary security systems for the safety of the President and his staff. According to earlier reporting by CBS News, U.S. intelligence agencies had already warned of a specific threat to Trump or his plane. The New York Times had also previously reported on security concerns related to the plane gifted by Qatar. It was mentioned that the Secret Service had advised Trump to change planes while returning from the NATO summit.
It is noteworthy that the U.S. has been modifying the $400 million Boeing 747-8 aircraft for several months to make it suitable for presidential use. The old Air Force One planes have laser technology that can help confuse or disable incoming missiles. However, it is unclear what security systems are present on the plane gifted by Qatar.
In a statement, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said,
the new Air Force One is fully secure for presidential travel, but some additional upgrades and improvements will be made this year, which will take about a month to complete.