US President Donald Trump was reportedly flown from Turkey to Britain aboard a smaller military aircraft last month after 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 occurred during Trump’s visit to Ankara for a NATO summit with other world leaders, according to reports by The Washington Post and The New York Times published on Tuesday.
The Washington Post reported that Trump initially boarded the former Air Force One in full view of television cameras. Minutes later, however, he was allegedly transferred to another aircraft using an airport catering truck, which was positioned to shield him from public view.
A US official told the newspaper that a credible threat involving Iran prompted the unusual security measure.
The New York Times similarly 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 instead of the newer 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 planned security modifications have attracted considerable attention.
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, The Washington Post reported that Trump was actually transferred from a third aircraft to the older Air Force One shortly before departure.
The operation reportedly involved Trump boarding the presidential aircraft through a different entrance before later appearing publicly on its stairs, creating the impression that he had been aboard throughout the journey.
Members of the travelling press pool were reportedly instructed to keep the window shades in their section closed during the flight, while some White House staff also believed Trump was aboard the aircraft.
When journalists 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.
According to the reports, the C-32A carrying Trump arrived in Britain at about 10:20pm local time. The older Air Force One, carrying members of the media, arrived separately several minutes later.
Trump reportedly emerged from the older aircraft at about 10:56pm, gave reporters a peace sign and greeted US service members before walking towards the Qatar-donated aircraft.
The reported security manoeuvre has been compared with a similar operation in 2000 involving former US President Bill Clinton, who used an unmarked executive aircraft to enter Pakistan while Air Force One reportedly served as a decoy.
Responding to questions about the reported operation, 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.
