Trump faced assassination threat in Turkey, moved to decoy plane: Report

A highly secretive security operation was allegedly implemented during U.S. President Donald Trump's departure from Turkey in July, involving his transfer to a different aircraft due to a credible assassination threat originating from Iran. The Washington Post reported that the presidential plane, Air Force One, was used as a "decoy," flying ahead with journalists and White House staff to mask Trump's real movements.

According to the report, U.S. intelligence received reliable information about a potential attack targeting Trump or his presidential aircraft from Iran. To counter this threat, an elaborate deception operation was devised to conceal Trump's actual location. The details of this operation were reportedly kept secret, even from many journalists and some White House personnel traveling with the president.

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Trump's real location was concealed through a comprehensive deception operation.

Trump had arrived in Turkey on a new Boeing 747-8, donated by Qatar and intended for temporary use as Air Force One. Before departing Ankara, he announced he would fly to England on the older, blue-and-white Air Force One, citing a desire to use the old plane "for old times' sake" and to show the new aircraft to American troops in Britain. Footage from Ankara Airport showed Trump boarding the older plane in front of cameras.

However, the Washington Post claims the real operation began minutes later. Trump and several high-ranking officials were reportedly transferred via an aircraft catering truck to a smaller, waiting military jet. The platform of the truck, normally used for servicing aircraft, was raised to the door of Air Force One. Trump then boarded a modified Boeing 757, designated C-32A, which is typically used to transport senior U.S. administration officials. After Trump's departure on the C-32A, the older Air Force One departed with journalists and staff, most of whom believed the president was still aboard. The report also noted that journalists were instructed to keep the curtains in the press cabin closed during the flight, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth boarded the C-32A separately to avoid suspicion. Trump did not even use the "Air Force One" call sign during this flight.

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The older Air Force One, with journalists and White House personnel, took off as if it were a 'decoy'.