트럼프, ‘암살 위협’ 전용기에 기자단 태워놓고…트럭에 숨어 군용기로 피신

White House correspondents expressed concerns over Donald Trump's secret plane change in response to an assassination threat from Iran, fearing it would compromise the safety and integrity of their reporting. CNN reported that Fox News anchor Jake Hainrich, WHCA president, conveyed these concerns to Trump's aides after meeting with them the day before.

Hainrich's concerns included the journalists' safety, the ability of the joint reporting team to independently record the President's movements, and the authenticity and reliability of their reporting. He requested cooperation from White House officials in preparing procedures for responding to such exceptional security situations.

Subsequently, Hainrich shared his discussion with WHCA members through an email, emphasizing the importance of independent reporting on the President's movements and the trustworthiness of journalism in an increasingly conspiracy-ridden media environment. This particular operation, conducted after Trump's NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, resulted in inaccurate reporting by the joint team about the President's itinerary.

Following the summit, Trump transferred to a decommissioned Air Force One, transferred to a truck, and boarded a military aircraft for his departure.

According to Hainrich, the White House Correspondents' Association acknowledges the President's top priority to protect the President, particularly in cases of real security threats, which may necessitate exceptional measures. He highlighted the risks of undermining the credibility of joint reporting and the uncertainty it creates, especially in an already conspiratorial media landscape, which could be exploited by malicious actors.

Trump later told Hainrich that the operation complied with the Secret Service's request. WHCA President Steven Chen did not respond to questions about the meeting.