President Donald Trump stated there were "no issues" after a reported secretive maneuver involving a catering truck to move him from Air Force One, an operation that emerged amidst claims of potential threats from Iran. The incident reportedly occurred as Trump was returning from a NATO summit in Turkey.
According to reports, Trump was bundled off the jet in Ankara and loaded onto a separate military plane bound for the United Kingdom. A catering truck was allegedly used to lift the President to the plane's level. This occurred after Trump had initially announced he would switch to an older Air Force One model for the journey home "for old times' sake." Following his public boarding of the older jet, a covert swap was allegedly executed, moving him to a C-32A aircraft while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth boarded the main jet to create a semblance of normalcy for observers.
Those on board the "decoy" flight, including journalists and some White House staffers, were reportedly unaware of the switch. Upon rejoining the main aircraft later, Trump was asked if a security concern had prompted the move. He responded with "No issues," insisting the elaborate maneuver was a public relations gesture to provide service members with a better view of the presidential jet.
Trump explained the plane switch was to align the Air Force Base for a specific photo opportunity with service members. When questioned about journalists being asked to lower window shades, Trump suggested it was because the flight might be "dangerous" due to adversaries. He also stated he is "number one" on Iran's list and that if he is targeted, "you go."
The White House defended the Qatari-donated jet that Trump had initially traveled on, asserting it is "secure and equipped with the most advanced technologies." Reports had previously surfaced suggesting this newer jet lacked crucial antimissile countermeasures found on older models. Trump acknowledged the luxury plane required upgrades and was temporarily grounded for enhanced protection.
The security concerns were amplified by reports that the new jet was vulnerable. In retaliation for the story, FBI agents reportedly issued federal grand jury subpoenas to reporters from The New York Times.
Further reports indicated that Trump had been using decoy aircraft, dubbed "Ghost Flight," to evade potential assassination attempts from Iranian operatives. This tactic reportedly became more frequent during the election campaign. In September, a separate incident involved a gunman spotted near Trump's Florida golf course, which further prompted security measures. Tehran has reportedly issued threats, with one instance involving a large banner in Tehran depicting a caricature of Trump with a "bullseye" and the phrase "There will be blood." Iranian media has also allegedly threatened First Lady Melania Trump and Barron Trump, with an AI-generated video highlighting potential methods to target Melania Trump.