Credible missile threat triggers secret switch of Trump’s aircraft

The New York Times disclosed that concerns arose about Iranian officials potentially targeting President Donald Trump's residence in Ankara, including his hotel floor. On the last day of his visit to Turkey for the NATO summit, heightened tensions with Iran prompted the Secret Service to secretly transfer President Trump onto a smaller government jet during the journey.

This decision was made at the last minute, with the Secret Service deeming the threat credible and imminent. Air Force One, carrying senior administration officials, White House staff, and the press corps, took off separately. The catering truck used to transport Trump and a small group of aides was a decoy, while the true presidential aircraft departed.

Following the move, Trump claimed the smaller plane was at greater risk, believing it to be a more likely target for a shoulder-fired missile. The threat may have been a new type of heat-seeking missile, which are harder to detect than traditional radar-guided threats. US presidents have historically traveled secretly when visiting high-risk regions, but this operation in Turkey was executed with minimal notice to the press.