Rubio, Bessent Flew Decoy Plane from Turkey; Hegseth Flew Secretly with Trump

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent returned from Turkey on a decoy aircraft, while Secretary of War Pete Hegseth accompanied President Donald Trump on a secret flight. This maneuver was reportedly a security measure against a potential threat from Iran, with whom the U.S. has been in conflict since February.

Rubio and Bessent were aboard the plane publicly identified as Air Force One, though it did not carry the president. Sources familiar with the operation told CBS that both secretaries were aware of the plan for Trump to switch to a different aircraft upon his return from the NATO summit in Ankara last July.

Other White House officials traveling with Trump on the secret flight included advisors Natalie Harp, Walt Nauta, and Dan Scavino. The president had initially announced he would return on the older Air Force One for nostalgic reasons, without mentioning security concerns.

Trump defended the use of the decoy plane, stating he complied with Secret Service recommendations. He remarked that prominent presidents face numerous threats, and he believes he receives more than most. Some journalists on the decoy flight confirmed they were unaware of the ruse and found the instruction to keep windows closed unusual.

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Any important president receives many threats. Presidents who are not important do not receive threats. And I think I am the one who receives the most. Nobody has done more than me in almost six years.