WASHINGTON (TNND) — President Donald Trump reportedly took a secret flight on an alternate military aircraft out of Ankara, Turkey, after last month’s NATO Summit, amid concerns about an Iranian threat on his life.
An exclusive report published by The Washington Post this week claims the White House made it appear that Trump was flying on Air Force One through an elaborate ruse prompted by an Iranian assassination threat.
The Post said journalists and White House staff traveling with Trump were led to believe they were on the same flight as the president as they returned to Washington from the summit. Journalists on the flight reported being advised to keep their window shades in the press cabin closed.
The reporters later asked Trump why they had to keep their shades closed, with Trump responding that they were “probably on a dangerous flight.”
Well I have a threat all the time. I’m number one on their list before you, but if I go, you go, right?” Trump said.
The outlet cited a U.S. official familiar with the operation and another person with knowledge of the president’s travel.
Trump flew to the summit in Ankara, Turkey on his new Qatari-gifted Air Force One, detailed with red, white, navy blue and gold paint. However, before leaving Turkey, Trump said he would be flying part of the way home on the older baby blue Air Force One instead/
Trump said the Qatari plane was being flown out ahead of him leaving Turkey at the time to allow U.S. troops stationed in England a chance to see the new plane.
For old time’s sake, we’ll be taking the former Air Force One, from Turkey to Mildenhall, a short trip that is totally worth doing in order to give our Great Military Heroes a chance to appreciate our beautiful new addition to the Air Force Fleet!” Trump wrote ahead of the July 8 departure.
A livestream of Trump’s departure from Ankara shows him boarding the baby blue Air Force One, with The Post reporting that after he entered the plane, he was secretly shuttled to a smaller plane, Air Force C-32A, inside of an airport catering truck used to load meals and supplies onto aircraft.
Trump then flew to Mildenhall in England on the smaller plane, the outlet reports.
“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,” White House communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement. The White House did not respond to specific questions about The Post’s report.
The Guardian reports that a similar operation took place in 2000, when Bill Clinton used an unmarked executive jet to fly into Pakistan. Meanwhile, Clinton sent his Air Force One as a decoy.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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