- Trump publicly stated he would depart on July 8 on an older Air Force One, but was actually spirited into a catering container and flown to the UK on a small C-32A aircraft.
- Trump said at the time he would be taking the older Boeing 747 'for old time’s sake,' but several US media outlets reported that a threat from Iran-aligned armed groups prompted the switch.
- Journalists who thought they were traveling with Trump on the older Air Force One, used as a decoy, were advised to keep their window shades in the press cabin closed, and some White House staff also believed the president was on board.
- Once in the UK, Trump appeared before the media exiting the older Air Force One, though it is unclear how he moved from the C-32A to that aircraft; he then flew to Washington, DC on the new, Qatari-gifted plane.
A credible Iranian assassination threat prompted President Donald Trump to execute a secretive flight from Turkiye last month, utilizing a C-32A military aircraft instead of the expected Air Force One. Reports indicate that Trump was transported in a catering container to ensure his safety.
Trump had publicly announced his intention to depart on July 8 aboard an older version of Air Force One, but the deception operation was initiated due to security concerns. A US official cited by The Washington Post confirmed that the operation was a response to a credible threat from Iran-aligned armed groups.23
Journalists traveling with Trump were instructed to keep their window shades closed, raising suspicions about security issues. Upon arrival in the UK, Trump appeared before the media exiting the older Air Force One, although the details of his transition from the C-32A remain unclear.4567
White House Communications Director Steve Cheung defended the use of the Qatari-gifted aircraft, 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.” He emphasized that the US employs “every tool” to counter foreign threats, acknowledging the existence of numerous enemies targeting the President.
“The decoy Air Force One carried journalists who were told to keep window shades closed, and some White House staff believed Trump was aboard. After appearing in the UK, Trump flew to Washington, DC on the new Qatari-gifted plane.”
