Trump Confirms Secret Service, Military Insisted on Air Force One Decoy in Turkey
Following a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, US President Donald Trump revealed that he discreetly changed planes during his departure. He explained that the Secret Service and military recommended this action due to unspecified safety concerns. The Washington Post was the first to report that this maneuver stemmed from an Iranian threat against Trump’s life. While journalists and White House staff believed they were flying back to the US with him on Air Force One, the president was on a different aircraft. Trump addressed criticism by stating, "They wanted me to go on a different flight... I do what they say." He mentioned being aware of a threat but did not provide details, questioning why the military deemed it safe for others on the regular plane. He made these comments on Tuesday after landing at Joint Base Andrews from Ohio.
Key facts
- Trump confirmed he covertly switched planes upon departure from Ankara, Turkey.
- The Secret Service and military insisted on the decoy due to unspecified safety threats.
- The maneuver was prompted by an Iranian assassination threat against Trump.
- Journalists, White House staff, and other officials aboard Air Force One were unaware of the switch.
- Trump said, 'They wanted me to go on a different flight, a different plane, equal safety, but they wanted me to do it, so I do it. I do what they say.'
- Trump said, 'I guess there was a threat out there, I didn't really ask too much about it. I get a lot of threats.'
- Trump declined to elaborate on the nature of the threat or why others were safe on Air Force One.
- Trump made remarks after deplaning at Joint Base Andrews on Tuesday, returning from Ohio.
Entities
Institutions
- Secret Service
- The Washington Post
- Nato
- Air Force One
- Joint Base Andrews
Locations
- Ankara
- Turkey
- Washington
- Ohio