Trump used elaborate ruse to fly out of Turkey following summit because of Iran threat, report says

In a recent report by The Washington Post, it was revealed that President Donald Trump secretly departed Turkey following a NATO summit using a non-standard military aircraft, while the White House presented a facade that he was aboard Air Force One. This covert maneuver was allegedly instigated by an alleged Iranian assassination threat against the President.

The Post claimed to have reviewed materials and consulted with U.S. officials and an individual familiar with the operation. It's important to note that the AP has not independently verified this report. The President's original journey to the summit was via a new, Qatari-gifted red, white, and navy blue jet. However, upon his return, he announced he would fly part of the way home on an older Air Force One model.

Upon arrival at Ankara, Trump boarded the older Air Force One in front of cameras. However, according to the Post, he was covertly transferred to a smaller plane, an Air Force C-32A, via an airport catering truck. The President then flew to Mildenhall on this smaller plane. The White House did not confirm or deny the Post's account.

White House communications director Steven Cheung maintained that there are many adversaries of America, and they employ every available tool to counteract these threats. The U.S. Secret Service declined to comment, and the Air Force directed inquiries to the White House. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of the new Qatari-gifted plane.

The U.S. military had conducted strikes in Iran in retaliation for attacks on shipping in the region during Trump's stay. There had been reports last month that intelligence officials had expressed concerns about a potential attack on the President or his aircraft, leading to enhanced security measures. The Post's report adds another layer to the extent of security concerns about the President during the Iran conflict.

Paul Eckloff, a former Secret Service agent, suggested that this unusual move could reflect actionable intelligence or an abundance of caution given the volatile region's geopolitical situation. Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal called for a congressional briefing on the matter, describing the incident as "downright scary."