- In July, Donald Trump hid in a catering truck and reportedly secretly switched planes in a security ruse prompted by a credible Iranian assassination threat.
- The Washington Post reported that Trump covertly exited the presidential plane while on the ground in Turkey on July 8 as his security team deployed a scheme to evade an assassination threat.
- Trump boarded the presidential jet in full view of cameras, but then reportedly left the plane and stepped inside one of the cargo containers to board a smaller US Air Force aircraft positioned nearby.
- A secret operation reportedly smuggled Trump off Air Force One in a catering truck before the plane departed carrying journalists and top aides at apparent risk of an Iranian strike.
- About a dozen journalists traveling in a separate section of Air Force One were unaware of the switch and flew out of Turkey on the plane despite the apparent threat from Iran.
- The Guardian breaks down the footage from that day, showing how the president reportedly boarded the old Air Force One jumbo jet in view of television cameras, and then was secretly shuttled minutes later to a smaller plane via an airport catering truck typically used to load meals and other supplies preflight.
- Some traveling media expressed anger at having unwittingly served as decoys, and one unnamed White House reporter said, "That's not my job. I cover the president."
- The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel had briefed the US about a possible shoulder-to-air missile strike on Air Force One, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio was among senior officials who remained on the plane.
- Dispatches noted a Secret Service order that window shades be lowered during takeoff, an unusual instruction outside combat zones.
- Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called for Congress to be briefed on the Iranian threats and the extraordinary measures taken to get Trump out of Turkey.
In July, Donald Trump executed a covert operation in Turkey to evade a credible Iranian assassination threat. He was seen boarding Air Force One but quickly switched to a smaller aircraft via a catering truck, leaving journalists unaware of the deception.125610
The Washington Post reported that Trump exited the presidential plane while it was on the ground, prompting his security team to deploy a scheme to protect him. About a dozen journalists traveling with him were unaware of the switch and flew out of Turkey on the decoy plane, raising concerns about their safety.
Some media members expressed anger at being used as decoys, with one reporter stating, "When you sign up to work at the White House, even as a civilian, part of your job is to defend the president. That's not my job. I cover the president." The operation has sparked questions regarding U.S. security practices, especially after reports indicated that Israel had warned the U.S. about a potential missile strike on Air Force One.89
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has called for Congress to be briefed on the Iranian threats and the extraordinary measures taken to ensure Trump's safety during the incident. Dispatches from pool media noted unusual security measures, including a Secret Service order to lower window shades during takeoff.1112
“The Washington Post reported that about a dozen journalists flew out of Turkey on Air Force One unaware of the switch, with some expressing anger at serving as decoys. Secretary of State Marco Rubio remained on the plane, and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called for a congressional briefing on the threats.”
theguardian.com
