Trump's secret plane swap triggers questions and confusion
Some travelling media expressed anger at having unwittingly served as decoys after Trump covertly exited the presidential plane while it was on the ground.
Donald Trump confirmed on Tuesday that he secretly switched planes due to a threat to his life, following the Washington Post's revelation that he was smuggled out of Air Force One onto a different aircraft. The switch occurred in Türkiye on July 8, raising questions and confusion among travelling media and the public. Some journalists expressed anger at being used as decoys, while others complained about deception and lack of communication from the White House.
Trump told reporters that the original plane may have been at higher risk, as it was reportedly targeted by Iran. Despite the switch, about a dozen journalists traveling in a separate section of the plane remained unaware of the change and continued their journey on the original aircraft. The Secret Service ordered window shades to be lowered during takeoff, an unusual instruction outside of combat zones.
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