Secret plane swap at NATO summit raises security questions amid Iran tensions
White House officials acknowledge security concerns regarding the Qatari-donated aircraft used for the return flight, while the Justice Department investigates leaks surrounding the incident.
US media reports allege that President Donald Trump secretly transferred from the legacy Air Force One to a military aircraft via a catering truck while departing a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. The Washington Post reported that the manoeuvre was executed in response to a credible Iranian threat to fire a missile at the presidential aircraft.
According to the report, journalists and White House staff on the original plane were unaware of the swap and were instructed to close their window shades. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly boarded the C-32A separately using external stairs to maintain the illusion that the president remained on Air Force One.
Trump had arrived in Turkey aboard a newer Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar but announced he would leave on the old Air Force One "for old time's sake". The clandestine departure occurred a day after the US renewed military strikes on Iran following a breakdown in negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
During the return flight on the Qatar-gifted jet, Trump told reporters he was Iran's "number one target" and that the window shades were lowered because journalists were on a "dangerous flight". He added, "But if I go, you go, right?", suggesting the risks extended to the press corps accompanying him.
White House communications director Steven Cheung did not confirm or deny the plane swap but described the new Air Force One as "state-of-the-art". Press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated the aircraft is "perfectly safe" but will receive additional upgrades in the fall. The Justice Department is currently investigating illegal leaks related to reporting on the Qatari-donated jet.
