A decoy Air Force One, used to conceal President Donald Trump's departure from Turkey amid a credible threat from Iran, was protected by U.S. fighter jets, a senior administration official confirmed.
The undisclosed security measure involved a separate, smaller aircraft that carried the press corps and senior staff, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, on its flight to the United Kingdom. These passengers were aware Trump was not aboard the decoy plane.
The aircraft normally associated with the president continued its journey without him. The press traveling on the decoy flight were instructed to keep their window shades closed throughout the flight, preventing them from seeing the fighter escort. A Secret Service agent reinforced this instruction, and a White House wrangler informed reporters that the request came from the Secret Service.
This arrangement aimed to mitigate fears that the press corps and staff might have been left vulnerable to potential threats from hostile actors targeting Trump's flight out of Ankara. The use of the decoy plane and an airport catering truck as cover for Trump's secret boarding were previously reported.
President Trump stated that the decision to switch aircraft was made at the direction of his security detail and the military. He indicated that the plane he ultimately traveled on may have been at greater risk, as it would be the more likely target.
The security precautions were in place following a July summit in Turkey, where the threat from Iran was a significant concern. Trump has previously identified himself as Iran's primary target amidst renewed conflict.