Trump left Turkey on secret military flight after Iranian threat: Washington Post

Former US President Donald Trump unexpectedly left Turkey on a military flight last month due to an Iranian assassination threat, according to the Washington Post. The incident occurred during a NATO summit in Ankara, where Trump had arrived aboard a newly refurbished presidential aircraft provided by Qatar. However, upon departure, he switched to an older presidential plane, prompting concerns about the safety of the new aircraft.

The Washington Post reported that the trip was the new plane's first international journey, and its rapid upgrades had raised questions about costs and security. Before boarding the older aircraft, Trump announced on Truth Social that he would use it "for old times' sake" to fly to RAF Mildenhall in the UK, where US military personnel would inspect it.

After boarding the older Air Force One in Ankara, Trump was secretly transferred to a smaller US Air Force C-32A jet via an airport catering truck. The decoy operation was reportedly in response to a credible threat targeting Trump, similar to a tactic used in 2000 when former President Bill Clinton traveled to Pakistan on an unmarked business jet.

Journalists who believed they were flying with Trump on the older aircraft were instructed to keep their window shades closed, and some White House staff also thought the president was on board. Trump later told reporters that they were likely on a "dangerous trip," adding, "But if I go, you go too." The C-32A jet carrying Trump eventually flew to the UK, arriving around 10:20 p.m., while the presidential aircraft and media arrived minutes later.

The new aircraft, painted in dark blue, red, white, and gold, is a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar and refitted by L3Harris Technologies, intended as a temporary replacement for the next-generation Air Force One planes.