Asif MerchantFarhad ShakeriJohn BoltonAli KhameneiDonald TrumpIslamic Revolutionary Guard CorpsUS Secret ServiceWhite House

Trump secretly switched planes in Turkey, reports say, hinting at personal stakes of Iran war; he claimed 'I got him before he got me'

Reports reveal that President Trump secretly switched planes in Turkey due to credible Iranian missile threats, using a catering truck for transport. This follows his claims of thwarting Iranian plots against him, highlighting ongoing tensions amid military actions against Iran, including the killing of top Iranian leaders.

BBC BBC12 August 2026 · 00:26 UTC
CuriousCats Full Story

President Trump’s recent actions reveal a complex interplay of personal stakes and national security concerns regarding Iran.

Reports indicate that Trump switched planes in Turkey, utilizing a catering truck for covert transport due to credible Iranian missile threats against Air Force One.

“I got him before he got me,” Trump remarked, referencing his military campaign against Iran and the killing of top Iranian leaders, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an Israeli airstrike with U.S. approval.

This operation, which took over a month to surface, underscores the ongoing threat Iran poses to U.S. interests, despite Trump’s assertions of victory in the conflict.

“Iran tried to kill President Trump, and President Trump got the last laugh,” he stated, highlighting his belief that he has thwarted Iranian assassination plots against him.

The Biden administration has also warned Iran against targeting U.S. citizens, following revelations of plans to assassinate former National Security Adviser John Bolton and other threats against Trump.

As tensions escalate, the optics of Trump hiding in a catering truck raise questions about his portrayal of strength against a military adversary he claims has been defeated.

Key Insight
“The plane swap follows an Israeli airstrike with US approval that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In July 2024, Asif Merchant was charged for plotting to kill Trump; he was convicted in March 2026, while Farhad Shakeri remains at large.”
How Donald Trump swapped planes to avoid threat from Iran | BBC News
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How Donald Trump swapped planes to avoid threat from Iran | BBC News
Trump secretly swapped planes using catering truck due to Iranian threat. #BBCNews
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Trump secretly swapped planes using catering truck due to Iranian threat. #BBCNews
TERRIFIED Trump Fled Turkey In Secret Jet After Iran Threat
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TERRIFIED Trump Fled Turkey In Secret Jet After Iran Threat
Trump hid in catering truck, switched planes in Turkey to avoid Iranian assassination threat
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Trump hid in catering truck, switched planes in Turkey to avoid Iranian assassination threat
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BBCBBC
“"I got him before he got me. They tried twice. Well, I got him first." That was President Donald Trump's observation, made to ABC correspondent Jonathan Karl, in a phone conversation the day after he launched the US military campaign against Iran in February”
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EARLIER IN THE STORY:
Trump's Air Force One switcheroo from Turkey raises security and transparency concerns; White House denies threat as leak probe continues
CNN
Trump's Air Force One switcheroo from Turkey raises security and transparency concerns; White House denies threat as leak probe continues

President Trump was secretly transferred from the legacy Air Force One to a smaller Air Force C-32A via a catering truck, then covertly re-boarded the old plane in the UK to keep up the ruse before flying home on the Qatari-gifted plane.

CnnDecoysIran Threat
2026-08-11
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Trump and the White House continued to deny a specific security concern even after the danger had passed, with Trump flatly denying any threat when pressed by reporters.
  • The plan left reporters and administration staffers on the legacy Air Force One as unwitting decoys, raising questions about their security, as noted by former Secret Service agent Robert McDonald.
  • The credible threat that prompted the switcheroo undercuts Trump’s claims that Iran’s military capabilities have been decimated, including his assertions that Iran had “no navy,” “no military,” “no air force” and “no anti-aircraft systems.”
  • The administration took the extraordinary step of subpoenaing Times journalists who reported the plane swap, claiming a national security leak, but withdrew the subpoenas after a judge expressed skepticism.
  • The episode raises broader questions about why Trump was flying the Qatari-gifted plane if it wasn’t as safe as the legacy plane, and whether his desire to use the new plane led to cut corners.
  • CNN reported an internal leak investigation, with some officials asked to turn over their phones, raising questions about whether the effort is about avoiding embarrassment over the decision to use staffers and reporters as decoys.
Trump secretly flew home via catering truck and smaller plane after Iran threat, using decoy Air Force One ruse; 'probably on a dangerous flight,' he told reporters
WBFFWBFF
Trump secretly flew home via catering truck and smaller plane after Iran threat, using decoy Air Force One ruse; 'probably on a dangerous flight,' he told reporters

The Washington Post reported that the White House used an elaborate ruse to make it appear Trump was flying on Air Force One, prompted by an Iranian assassination threat.

Air Force One DecoyBaby Blue Air Force OneCatering Truck Ruse
2026-08-11
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Trump secretly departed Turkey using a catering truck and a smaller plane, employing an elaborate ruse involving a decoy Air Force One flight due to an Iranian assassination threat.
  • Journalists and White House staff were misled into believing they were on the same flight as Trump, and were advised to keep window shades closed in the press cabin.
  • When asked about the closed shades, Trump responded that they were 'probably on a dangerous flight' and mentioned he faces threats constantly.
  • Trump flew to the summit in Ankara, Turkey on his new Qatari-gifted Air Force One, but before leaving Turkey he announced he would fly partway home on the older baby blue Air Force One.
  • After boarding the baby blue Air Force One, Trump was secretly shuttled to a smaller plane, Air Force C-32A, inside an airport catering truck, and then flew to Mildenhall in England on the smaller plane.
  • White House communications director Steven Cheung stated that the president faces many enemies and they use every tool to address threats, while the White House did not respond to specific questions about The Post's report.
Trump secretly switched planes in Turkey via catering truck ruse to evade Iran assassination threat, official says; White House cites security protocols
WBAL-TVWBAL-TV
Trump secretly switched planes in Turkey via catering truck ruse to evade Iran assassination threat, official says; White House cites security protocols

President Donald Trump secretly slipped out of Turkey last month on an alternate military plane, boarding while hidden inside a catering truck as part of an elaborate ruse, according to a U.S. official.

Ankara AirportCatering TruckCnn
2026-08-11
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • President Donald Trump secretly slipped out of Turkey last month on an alternate military plane, which he boarded while hidden inside a catering truck, as part of an elaborate ruse, according to a U.S. official.
  • The clandestine security plan underscored the lengths American officials went to in order to protect Trump from being assassinated by Iran.
  • Trump was aboard the old Air Force One in Ankara as of 8:26 p.m. local time, according to a pool report.
  • Air Force One was wheels up at 8:43 p.m. local time, according to a subsequent pool report 17 minutes later.
  • Video shows a catering truck parked next to Air Force One at Ankara's Esenboga Airport about seven minutes before taxiing.
  • Trump secretly got off via the catering vehicle and moved to a smaller Air Force C-32A.
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