Credible missile threat prompted secret Trump aircraft switch
WASHINGTON: A threat that Air Force One could be targeted by a shoulder-fired missile prompted the Secret Service to secretly move President Donald Trump onto a smaller government jet during a trip to Turkiye last month, a person briefed on the matter said on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump disclosed on Tuesday that he secretly transferred to a different aircraft while departing a NATO summit in Turkey last month due to a potential threat. In an interview with reporters, Trump stated, "I go by Secret Service and the military. They wanted me to go in a different flight, different plane. I just have to do what they say."
The disclosure follows reports that Trump initially boarded Air Force One on July 8 in front of television cameras before concealing himself in a catering truck to be moved to a military aircraft. The last-minute change has sparked questions about the safety of those who remained on the decoy plane, but Trump asserted that the alternative aircraft might have been more vulnerable.
Officials from the US informed the BBC’s US partner CBS News that the US intelligence had received credible information of an Iranian threat to launch a missile at the plane.
Written by urgent.news from KBC's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 6 other outlets
- Trump confirms he switched planes after Nato summit because of possible threat thechronicle.com.gh
- Trump confirms he switched planes after Nato summit because of possible threat kbc.co.ke
- Trump secretly moved to third plane over Iran threat dailytimes.com.pk
- CIA reportedly doubted Israeli intel on Iranian threat that led Trump to swap planes timesofisrael.com
- Here’s who joined Trump on his secret military plane – and who got left on the ‘risky’ Air Force One theage.com.au
- Here’s who joined Trump on his secret military plane – and who got left on the ‘risky’ Air Force One smh.com.au
