US President Donald Trump was reportedly secretly flown from Turkey to Britain aboard a smaller military aircraft last month following an alleged assassination threat linked to Iran, while the White House publicly maintained that he was travelling aboard Air Force One.
The reported security operation, detailed by The Washington Post and The New York Times, occurred during Trump’s visit to Ankara for a NATO summit attended by several world leaders.
According to The Washington Post, Trump initially boarded the former Air Force One in full view of television cameras before being discreetly transferred to another aircraft.
The covert transfer was reportedly carried out using an airport catering truck, normally used to deliver food and other supplies to aircraft before departure.
A US official told the newspaper that the unusual security arrangement was prompted by what authorities considered a credible threat linked to Iran.
The New York Times similarly reported that Trump’s actual location was concealed from journalists and even some White House officials travelling with him.
The White House had previously said that Trump departed Turkey on 8 July aboard the former Air Force One. Trump himself had announced on Truth Social that he intended to use the older Boeing 747 for the journey, rather than the newer Boeing 747-8 aircraft donated to the United States by Qatar.
The Qatar-donated aircraft had transported Trump to Turkey and was making its first international journey as part of his NATO visit. Its proposed use as a presidential aircraft has attracted considerable scrutiny, particularly over the security modifications required and its eventual transfer to the US government.
Before leaving Ankara, Trump told reporters that he would return to Britain aboard the older blue-and-white presidential aircraft, saying the decision was “for old time’s sake”.
He also said the newer aircraft would travel to RAF Mildenhall, where US military personnel stationed there would inspect it.
However, The Washington Post reported that Trump was actually transferred to a third aircraft before later rejoining the older Air Force One shortly before departure.
The president reportedly boarded the older aircraft through a different entrance and subsequently appeared on its stairs, creating the impression that he had travelled aboard the aircraft throughout the journey.
The operation reportedly extended to members of the travelling press corps. Journalists accompanying Trump were instructed to keep the window shades in their section closed during the flight, while some White House officials were allegedly unaware that the president was travelling on a different aircraft.
When reporters later asked Trump why they had been instructed to keep the shades closed, he responded jokingly that they were “probably on a dangerous flight”.
“But if I go, you go. Right?” Trump added.
The C-32A military aircraft reportedly carrying Trump landed in Britain at about 10:20pm local time, while the older Air Force One, carrying members of the media, arrived separately several minutes later.
According to the travelling press pool, Trump emerged from the older presidential aircraft at approximately 10:56pm, flashed a peace sign towards reporters and greeted US service members before proceeding towards the Qatar-donated aircraft.
The reported deception has a precedent in US presidential travel. A similar security manoeuvre was reportedly employed during former President Bill Clinton’s visit to Pakistan in 2000, when Clinton travelled aboard an unmarked executive aircraft while Air Force One served as a decoy.
The White House has defended the security measures surrounding Trump, citing the continuing threats against the president.
White House Communications Director Steve Cheung said the Qatar-donated aircraft had been equipped with high-level security protocols intended to protect Trump and members of 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 reported operation highlights the extraordinary security measures surrounding presidential travel, particularly amid concerns over potential threats against Trump and heightened tensions involving Iran.
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