President says Secret Service ordered covert aircraft switch after reported Iranian threat
U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that he secretly switched aircraft while departing Turkey last month, saying the plane he ultimately flew on may have faced “greater risk” than the Air Force One aircraft he initially boarded. The operation was reportedly carried out after U.S. security officials identified a potential threat linked to Iran. Reuters reported that Trump said he was following the direction of the U.S. Secret Service and the military and did not question the decision.
NATO Summit Departure and Covert Transfer
The unusual episode occurred after a NATO summit in Ankara. According to reports first published by The Washington Post and later confirmed by other U.S. media outlets, Trump boarded Air Force One in view of cameras, then secretly left the aircraft through an airport catering truck and was transferred to a smaller U.S. Air Force C-32A military aircraft for the flight to Britain. The White House had publicly stated at the time that the president was traveling aboard Air Force One.
Trump’s Statement on Security Risk
Speaking to reporters, Trump said:
“I think actually the plane that I flew on was at greater risk because that would be the plane they would be more likely to go for.”
He added that he receives frequent threats and relied entirely on the judgment of his security teams.
Political and Security Fallout
The covert transfer has drawn significant attention in Washington because it remained undisclosed for weeks. Critics have questioned whether leaving aides, officials, and journalists aboard the aircraft believed to be carrying the president exposed them to unnecessary risk, while supporters argue that extraordinary security measures were justified if a credible threat existed.
Scrutiny Over Qatari-Donated Aircraft
The incident has also renewed scrutiny of Trump’s recently upgraded Qatari-donated aircraft, which was used for the trip to Ankara. Questions had already been raised about the aircraft’s rapid modifications, cost, and security arrangements during a period of heightened tensions between the United States and Iran.
Unusual Security Tactics and Expert Reaction
Security experts note that U.S. presidents have occasionally traveled secretly during overseas visits, particularly when entering conflict zones, but the reported use of a catering vehicle as part of a presidential deception operation is highly unusual. The White House has not released further details about the nature of the threat or the intelligence that prompted the aircraft switch. Reuters, Aug. 11, 2026; AP News, Aug. 12, 2026.
Rising Tensions Between Washington and Tehran
The revelation comes as relations between Washington and Tehran remain tense following recent military confrontations and disputes over security in the Middle East, adding another layer of controversy to an already extraordinary presidential security operation.
