Washington: US President Donald Trump (Donald Trump) reportedly took a secret flight to Britain aboard a smaller US military aircraft, a C-32A, after attending the NATO summit in Türkiye last month, despite appearing to leave Ankara aboard an older Air Force One.
According to The Washington Post, the unusual arrangement was made because of what US officials considered a credible security threat to the president, allegedly linked to threats from Iran. The newspaper based its report on a US official familiar with the operation and evidence it reviewed.
Journalists Were Kept Unaware of the Real Plan
According to the report, Trump boarded the old light-blue Air Force One in front of cameras at Ankara airport, giving journalists and others the impression that he would leave Turkey aboard that aircraft.
However, after boarding the plane, Trump was reportedly transported secretly in an airport catering vehicle to another location, where he transferred to a smaller US military aircraft, the C-32A, for the undisclosed flight.
At the time, some journalists traveling with the president, as well as several White House staff members, reportedly believed that Trump was actually aboard the old Air Force One.
Security Concerns Amid Rising Tensions with Iran
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran. Turkey’s geographical proximity to the region also added to the sensitivity surrounding the president’s movements.
According to The Washington Post, officials adopted a deception strategy to conceal Trump’s actual movements and protect him from a potential threat.
A similar tactic had reportedly been used in the past. The newspaper cited the example of President Bill Clinton’s 2000 visit to Pakistan, when an unmarked government aircraft was used for the president while the regular Air Force One served as a decoy.
Trump Had Mentioned Using the Older Aircraft
Before leaving Ankara, Trump said on Truth Social that he would use the older Air Force One to travel to Royal Air Force Mildenhall in Britain.
He described the decision as being partly for “old times’ sake.” The newer aircraft was also scheduled to travel to the same British base so that US military personnel stationed there could tour the plane.
However, the announcement did not reveal Trump’s actual travel arrangements.
Journalists Told to Keep Window Shades Closed
The Washington Post reported that journalists who believed they were traveling with Trump aboard the old Air Force One were instructed to keep the aircraft’s window shades closed during the flight.
When journalists later asked Trump why they had been given the instruction, he said they may have been on a “dangerous flight.”
Trump also told the journalists that if he was going on the trip, they would be going as well.
C-32A Arrived in Britain First
According to The Washington Post, the C-32A carrying Trump arrived in Britain at approximately 10:20 p.m., while the old Air Force One and the media aircraft arrived several minutes later.
The newspaper said it was unclear exactly where or how Trump was transferred from the C-32A back to the older Air Force One after arriving in Britain.
A Reuters video from July 8 showed Trump climbing the steps of the old Air Force One in Ankara. Journalists traveling with him reported that he emerged from the aircraft at around 10:56 p.m. local time.
According to the journalists, Trump made a peace sign when he saw them but did not stop to speak with them. He later spent some time greeting and meeting US military personnel before heading toward the new aircraft donated by Qatar.
White House Cites Security Threats
Asked about reports of the secret flight, the White House provided a statement from Communications Director Steven Cheung.
The statement said the aircraft donated by Qatar had been equipped with high-level security protocols designed to protect the president and his staff.
The White House said that, as Trump had recently stated, the United States has many enemies who are watching him, and the administration uses every available means to address threats against the president.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Qatar-Donated Air Force One
Trump had traveled to the NATO summit aboard a new Boeing 747 donated to the United States by Qatar. It was the aircraft’s first international trip.
Qatar donated the aircraft to the United States last year, while US defense contractor L3Harris Technologies carried out modifications to prepare it for presidential use.
The aircraft was intended to serve on an interim basis because Boeing has faced lengthy delays in delivering the next-generation Air Force One aircraft.
The new aircraft, featuring a red, white, dark-blue and gold design selected by Trump, has attracted considerable attention.
However, reports of Trump’s alleged secret transfer from Turkey have raised fresh questions about the security of the new presidential aircraft, the president’s travel arrangements and the nature of the threats reportedly linked to Iran.
