On Tuesday evening, President Trump acknowledged that he had discreetly switched planes during his departure from Ankara, Turkey, last month.
Trump made this revelation while speaking to reporters upon his return to Washington, D.C., after attending the Patriot Games final in Ohio.
A journalist inquired about a report from the Washington Post, which disclosed that Trump had covertly changed planes on his flight from Turkey to the UK, using Air Force One as a ‘decoy.’
“The decision was entirely up to the Secret Service. I simply adhere to their and the military’s preferences. They advised me to take a different flight on a separate plane,” Trump explained to the media.
“I was informed there was a threat, but I didn’t delve too deeply into it,” Trump stated.
“Interestingly, the aircraft I traveled on might have been at greater risk. I believe it was more vulnerable because that would likely be the target they’d choose,” he added.
WATCH:
On July 8, President Trump undertook a clandestine flight from Turkey to the UK aboard an alternative military aircraft, following a discreet transfer from Air Force One due to an Iranian threat.
As per a Washington Post leak, Air Force One served as a ‘decoy’ while President Trump traveled on a smaller C-2A plane. Journalists traveling with the pool believed they were accompanying Trump from Turkey to the UK.
EXCLUSIVE: An Iranian assassination threat against President Trump prompted an extraordinary operation last month in which he flew secretly from Turkey on an alternate military aircraft while the White House said he was aboard Air Force One, The Washington Post has learned.
— Dan Lamothe (@DanLamothe) August 10, 2026
President Trump was quietly transitioned from Air Force One to the smaller plane by utilizing an airport catering truck.
How did this happen? We’re told Trump boarded the legacy Air Force One in Turkey.
But moments later, he secretly moved from that jet to a smaller C-32A that was parked nearby. He moved from one jet to the next aboard an airport catering truck, out of sight from the media.
— Dan Lamothe (@DanLamothe) August 10, 2026
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