admin
US President Donald Trump was secretly flown from Turkey to Britain on a smaller military aircraft last month after an alleged Iranian assassination threat, while the White House publicly maintained that he was travelling aboard Air Force One, according to reports by The Washington Post and The New York Times on Tuesday.
The reported deception took place during Trump’s visit to Ankara for a NATO summit with other world leaders.
According to The Washington Post, Trump initially boarded the former Air Force One in full view of television cameras. Minutes later, however, he was reportedly moved to another aircraft using an airport catering truck typically used to transport meals and supplies to aircraft before departure.
A US official told the newspaper that a credible threat involving Iran prompted the operation.
The New York Times also reported that Trump’s actual location was concealed from journalists and some White House staff travelling with him.
The White House had previously said Trump departed Turkey on July 8 aboard the former Air Force One. Trump had also announced on Truth Social that he would use the older Boeing 747 rather than the new Boeing 747-8 aircraft donated by Qatar, which had flown him to Turkey.
The NATO trip marked the first international journey for the Qatar-donated aircraft, whose modifications and security upgrades had attracted scrutiny.
Before leaving Ankara, Trump said he would travel aboard the older, blue-and-white Air Force One “for old time’s sake” to RAF Mildenhall in Britain, while the newer aircraft would also stop there to allow US military personnel stationed at the base to tour it.
However, according to the Post, Trump was actually transported from the third aircraft to the older Air Force One shortly before departure.
The operation reportedly involved Trump boarding the older presidential aircraft through a different entrance before appearing publicly on its stairs as though he had been aboard throughout the flight.
Journalists in the travelling press pool were reportedly instructed to keep the window shades in their section closed during the flight.
Some White House staff members also believed Trump was aboard the aircraft.
When reporters later asked Trump why they had been instructed to keep the shades closed, he joked that they were “probably on a dangerous flight.”
“But if I go, you go. Right?” Trump added.
The C-32A carrying Trump reportedly arrived in Britain at about 10:20pm local time, with the older Air Force One and the media travelling separately arriving minutes later.
Trump’s travelling press pool reported that he emerged from the older Air Force One at about 10:56pm, gave reporters a peace sign and greeted US service members before walking towards the Qatar-donated aircraft.
The reported manoeuvre bears similarities to a 2000 operation involving former US President Bill Clinton, who used an unmarked executive aircraft to enter Pakistan while Air Force One served as a decoy.
Responding to questions about the revelation, White House communications director Steve Cheung said the Qatar-donated aircraft had been equipped with high-level security protocols to protect Trump 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.
