Trump took secret flight out of Türkiye due to Iran threat: Report

President Donald Trump secretly departed from Türkiye last month on a military flight due to an Iranian threat, according to the Washington Post. The White House initially claimed Trump was flying aboard Air Force One, but it was later revealed he used an older plane. The switch to the older plane was prompted by the escalating tensions with Iran, a neighboring country of Türkiye.

Trump had first taken the newly renovated Qatari-donated jet to Ankara for the NATO summit, but departs via a different aircraft to RAF Mildenhall in Britain for the press. The deception operation was prompted by a credible threat to Trump, and was similar to a 2000 incident when President Bill Clinton used an unmarked executive jet to fly to Pakistan.

The journalists traveling with Trump were told to keep their window shades closed during the flight, which they believed was due to a dangerous flight. When asked later why they had to keep their shades shut, Trump said it was because they were likely on a dangerous flight. The C-32A carrying Trump flew to Britain and arrived around 10.20pm, while the older Air Force One and media arrived minutes later.

It was not clear how Trump was moved back to the older plane. The White House confirmed that the Qatari-donated jet has high-level security protocols in place to ensure the safety of the president and his staff.