Trump Confirms Secret Aircraft Swap

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he was secretly moved from Air Force One to another aircraft during a recent trip to Turkey after officials received what he described as a threat to his life.

The revelation came after a report by The Washington Post said Trump was quietly removed from the presidential aircraft on July 8 before it departed Turkey, with the operation reportedly involving him leaving Air Force One through a catering truck and boarding a smaller US Air Force plane nearby.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump said officials instructed him to change aircraft for safety reasons.

“They wanted me to go in a different flight, a different plane — equal safety, but they wanted me to do it, so I do it. I do what they say,” he said. Trump added that he did not seek further details about the alleged threat.

The reported security operation has raised concerns among some journalists who were travelling on Air Force One. Several members of the press said they were unaware of the aircraft change and expressed frustration that they may have unknowingly remained on the plane as potential targets.

According to reports, Trump boarded Air Force One in front of cameras and photographers before later leaving through one of the aircraft’s cargo containers to reach the alternative plane. Around a dozen journalists travelling in a separate section of Air Force One remained unaware of the switch and continued on the presidential aircraft after it left Turkey.

Trump dismissed concerns over the decision, saying the replacement aircraft may have faced greater danger.

“I think actually the plane that I flew on was at greater risk,” he told reporters, suggesting that any attackers would have been more likely to target the aircraft carrying him.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel had warned US officials about a possible shoulder-fired missile threat against Air Force One. The report said senior officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, remained on the aircraft during the journey.

The unusual security measures reportedly included instructions for journalists to keep window shades closed during takeoff, a step typically associated with conflict zones.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called for Congress to receive a briefing on the alleged Iranian threats and the measures taken to protect the president.

Trump’s security arrangements during the trip had already attracted attention after he travelled on a luxury Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar before switching back to the traditional presidential aircraft. The Qatar-provided plane was reportedly not equipped with the same anti-missile protection systems used for Air Force One.

Trump said at the time that the security precautions were necessary because of threats facing the United States.

Previous US presidents have also used secret travel arrangements. In 2000, former President Bill Clinton switched aircraft during a trip between India and Pakistan, while President Joe Biden’s 2023 visit to Ukraine was organised under strict secrecy, although a reporter and photographer accompanied him.