Catering cart & military aircraft: How Trump secretly fled Turkey amid Iran assassination threat

U.S. President Donald Trump was secretly transported from Turkey to Britain using a military aircraft, bypassing his newly renovated Air Force One, in a covert operation reportedly prompted by an Iranian assassination threat. The Washington Post detailed the extraordinary security measure, citing a U.S. official familiar with the operation.

Trump had initially appeared on camera boarding the older, baby-blue Air Force One after attending the NATO summit in Turkey. However, he was subsequently moved via an airport catering truck to an Air Force C-32A, which then flew him to Britain. This maneuver occurred amid escalating hostilities with Iran, which borders Turkey.

The decision to switch aircraft raised questions about the security of the new, Qatar-donated jet. Trump had previously stated on Truth Social that he would use the older Air Force One "for old time's sake" for the flight to RAF Mildenhall in Britain, with the new aircraft also scheduled to land there.

Journalists traveling with the press pool were instructed to keep their window shades closed during the flight, with some White House staff also under the impression that the president was on the older aircraft. When questioned later, Trump suggested the flight might have been "dangerous," adding, "But if I go, you go. Right?"

The C-32A carrying Trump arrived in Britain around 10:20 p.m., with the older Air Force One and the media arriving minutes later. The method of Trump's transfer back to the older aircraft upon arrival was not immediately clear. He was later seen greeting U.S. service members before proceeding to the new aircraft.

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But if I go, you go. Right?