Trump Hid in Airport Catering Cart as Iran Threat Drove Secret NATO Exit From Turkey

U.S. President Donald Trump left Turkey last month after an Iranian assassination threat prompted an elaborate ruse in which the White House said he was aboard Air Force One while he was secretly shuttled to a smaller aircraft via an airport catering truck, according to The Washington Post as cited by Reuters.

“prompted by an Iranian threat to kill him”

Reuters

Reuters said Trump boarded the recently refurbished Air Force One jet provided by Qatar en route to Ankara for the NATO summit, but unexpectedly boarded an older presidential plane as he left the country, raising questions about the safety of the newer aircraft.

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AP reported that Trump was secretly flown out of the NATO summit in Ankara on an alternate military aircraft while journalists and some White House staff were led to believe he was on the same plane as the president.

Reuters reported that the C-32A carrying Trump flew to Britain and landed around 10:20 p.m., while the presidential aircraft and the media arrived minutes later, and it was not clear how Trump was moved from the C-32A back to the older Air Force One.

The Guardian said the operation involved hiding Trump in an airport catering cart and that a US official told the Post the deception operation was set in motion by a credible threat involving Iran.

White House communications director Steven Cheung said, “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,” in response to questions about the reported deception operation.

Reuters reported that when asked later why they had to keep the cabin press’ window shades closed, Trump said it was because they were “likely on a dangerous trip.”

AP News

The Guardian reported that Trump told reporters, “probably on a dangerous flight,” and added, “But if I go, you go. Right?”

AP said the Associated Press has not independently confirmed the report and noted the U.S. Secret Service declined to comment while the Air Force referred questions to the White House.

Reuters said the operation was prompted by a credible threat aimed at Trump and that reporters who believed they were traveling with him aboard the old Air Force One were told to keep their window shades closed.

AP said the ruse added “a fresh layer” to how seriously concerned U.S. security officials were about the threat against Trump during the ongoing war with Iran, after the Post report described the operation as prompted by an Iranian assassination threat.

“The Associated Press has not independently confirmed the report”

AP News

AP reported that while Trump was in Turkey, the U.S. military conducted a series of large strikes in Iran in retaliation for its attacks on merchant shipping in the region, and it said the New York Times and CBS News reported intelligence officials raised concerns about a potential attack on the president or his jet.

Reuters said the trip to the NATO summit was the first international journey for the newer aircraft, whose rapid upgrades had raised questions about its cost and security, and it said the flight occurred at a time of heightened hostilities with Iran, which borders Turkey.

The Guardian reported that the administration had previously claimed Trump left Turkey on 8 July on the former Air Force One, and it said Trump said on Truth Social he would use the “former Air Force One” “for old time’s sake” to RAF Mildenhall in Britain.

Reuters reported that it was not clear how Trump was moved from the C-32A back to the older Air Force One, while the Trump-escorted press team said he stepped off the older plane’s stairs at about 10:56 p.m. local Britain time.