US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he was secretly transferred to another aircraft after US security and military officials detected a potential threat following the NATO summit in Turkey.
Trump said the decision was made by the US Secret Service and military officials, who directed him to switch aircraft after he had initially boarded the presidential plane.
“I believe there was a threat,” Trump said during a visit to Ohio, adding that he did not seek further details because he receives numerous threats.
The disclosure follows reports that Trump boarded the presidential aircraft at Ankara airport on July 8 in full view of television cameras before being secretly moved to a smaller military aircraft.
According to reports, Trump was taken off the aircraft using a catering truck positioned alongside the plane before being transferred to a C-32A military jet, a modified Boeing 757 commonly used by the US vice-president.
The covert operation was reportedly launched after US authorities detected a possible Iranian threat against the aircraft carrying the president.
Officials told CBS News that US authorities had uncovered a credible threat of a potential Iranian missile strike, while The New York Times reported that intelligence had identified an individual near the NATO summit who was reportedly carrying a shoulder-fired missile.
Trump said the aircraft he eventually boarded could have been at greater risk because it might have been considered the more likely target.
He had travelled to Turkey aboard a newer Boeing 747-8 aircraft donated by Qatar but had earlier indicated that he would return to the United States on the older Air Force One.
Footage showed Trump boarding the presidential aircraft at Ankara airport before reports emerged that he had been secretly transferred to the C-32A.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly boarded the smaller aircraft separately through external stairs as officials sought to make the operation appear routine.
Meanwhile, journalists and some White House staff remained aboard the original aircraft and were instructed to keep their window shades closed without being told that Trump was no longer on board.
A media pool producer described the instruction as unusual, while a photographer who briefly opened a window shade was reportedly told to close it.
The White House Correspondents’ Association also reported that catering trucks were positioned near both the front and rear of the aircraft when journalists arrived, while the media vehicle was too far back in the airport motorcade to capture footage of Trump boarding.
The C-32A reportedly used the call sign “Reach 18” during the operation, while the aircraft carrying journalists continued using “AF1” to maintain the appearance that Trump was still aboard.
Members of Trump’s cabinet, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, reportedly remained on the original aircraft.
The group later stopped at RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom while returning to the United States, where Trump was transferred back to the older presidential aircraft before eventually moving onto the Qatar-donated jet.
Trump later spoke to reporters during the journey and discussed threats from Iran but did not disclose that he had been secretly transferred between aircraft.
The revelation has raised concerns about the safety of journalists and other passengers who remained aboard the original aircraft without being informed about the potential threat.
Jose Zamora, regional director for the Americas at the Committee to Protect Journalists, said the Trump administration had a responsibility to ensure journalists travelling with the president were not unnecessarily exposed to security risks.
He also stressed that reporters should be informed about credible threats so they can make informed decisions about their own safety.
Goodness Anunobi
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