US President Donald Trump secretly departed from Turkey on July 8 using a covert security operation involving a catering truck and a decoy aircraft, according to multiple reports citing US officials and corroborating materials reviewed by The Washington Post. The operation was triggered by a credible Iranian assassination threat against Trump, who was attending the NATO summit in Ankara.
Trump boarded the older Air Force One in front of cameras but was secretly transferred to a smaller military aircraft, the Air Force C-32A, via an airport catering truck. The older Air Force One continued its flight to RAF Mildenhall in Britain, serving as a decoy while Trump traveled separately. Journalists and some White House staff aboard the decoy flight were instructed to keep window shades closed during the journey.
The White House publicly stated Trump departed Turkey on the older Air Force One, and Trump himself announced on Truth Social that he would use the older aircraft "for old time's sake" to allow US service members to tour the newer Qatari-donated jet. However, Trump did not remain aboard the aircraft he was seen boarding. The Secret Service had reportedly advised Trump to switch planes as a security precaution due to the elevated threat environment.
Key details of the operation:
- Date: July 8, 2025 (following the NATO summit in Ankara).
- Trigger: US intelligence detected a credible plot by Iran or its proxies to fire a missile at Trump’s plane during departure.
- Method: Trump boarded the older Air Force One in front of media, then was moved via catering truck to the C-32A, which flew him to Britain.
- Deception: The older Air Force One continued to Britain with journalists and staff unaware Trump was not aboard, and window shades in the press cabin were kept closed.
The operation mirrors a 2000 security measure when President Bill Clinton used an unmarked executive jet to enter Pakistan while sending a decoy Air Force One. US officials cited the 2000 incident as precedent for the covert tactics employed in Turkey.
Reactions and responses:
The White House acknowledged general threats against Trump but did not directly address the specifics of the operation. In a statement to ABC News, a spokesperson said, "As the President has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him, and we use every tool at our disposal to address those threats."
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal described the reported operation as "downright scary" and called for a congressional briefing to assess the security measures taken for staff and reporters aboard the decoy flight. He emphasized the need to understand what precautions were implemented to ensure their safety, given that the older Air Force One was deemed too dangerous for Trump to fly on.
Multiple Trump administration officials expressed frustration over the public disclosure of classified tactics, warning that such leaks could limit the effectiveness of future protective operations for US presidents.
Background context:
The covert operation occurred amid escalating hostilities between the US and Iran, including resumed US military strikes following the collapse of negotiations. Iran borders Turkey, where Trump had traveled for the NATO summit aboard the newly renovated Qatari-donated jet. The decision to switch planes was initially framed publicly as a nostalgic choice by Trump, but reporting indicates security concerns were the primary driver.
The incident has raised broader questions about the safety of high-profile US officials amid rising geopolitical tensions, particularly in regions where the US maintains a military presence or engages in active conflicts.