President Donald Trump was discreetly evacuated from Turkey last month amid an assassination threat from Iran, utilizing a catering truck to transfer him from Air Force One to a smaller aircraft, according to The Washington Post.
Covert Operations Amid Tensions
This operation unfolded shortly after Trump ordered U.S. military strikes on Iran, following unsuccessful negotiations aimed at ceasing hostilities between Washington and Tehran. While attending a NATO summit in Ankara, Trump traveled aboard a luxurious 747-8, a gift from Qatar, but opted to utilize the “former Air Force One” for his departure “for old time’s sake.”
Decoys and Disguises
Despite television cameras capturing Trump boarding the old Air Force One as it prepared for its journey to the United Kingdom, the president covertly slipped into a catering truck—typically used for loading in-flight meals. He was then transported to a smaller Air Force C-32A plane. This clever maneuver was confirmed by a U.S. official and corroborating documentation.
Air Force One, which carried journalists and some White House staff who believed they were on the same flight as the president, functioned as a “decoy.” Reports indicated that the passengers were advised to close their window shades while aboard the legacy jet.
Security Concerns and Comments
In the weeks leading up to this incident, The New York Times reported concerns that the gifted Qatari jet lacked sufficient security measures and was vulnerable to threats. In response, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung emphasized the importance of security, stating, “The new Air Force One is a state-of-the-art aircraft that has been fitted with high-level security protocols that ensure the safety of the President 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.”
