A catering truck is seen parked next to the old Air Force One aircraft before its departure from Esenboğa Airport in Ankara, Turkey, on July 8. Photo: AFP
US President Donald Trump secretly left Turkey last month following a potential threat that Iran might attempt to assassinate him. Instead of using the designated Air Force One, he departed Turkey on a smaller aircraft.
The influential US media outlet The Washington Post reported this news yesterday, Monday.
Citing an unnamed US official, The Washington Post reported that on July 8, Trump initially boarded Air Force One in Ankara. He then moved into a catering truck positioned alongside the aircraft.
From there, Trump was transported in the truck to a smaller C-32A aircraft, which flew the US President to the United Kingdom. At the time, the media and some officials were led to believe that Trump was still on board Air Force One.
Earlier, US media outlets had reported that due to threats from Iran, Trump did not return home on the Boeing 747-8 aircraft (the new Air Force One)—a gift from Qatar—which he had used to travel to Turkey.
“Journalists aboard the older aircraft departing from Ankara were instructed to keep their window shades drawn—a protocol usually followed only in areas near combat zones. This heightened suspicions regarding security concerns.”
Trump had visited Ankara last month to attend a NATO summit. He had stated that he would use the Boeing 747 (the older Air Force One) for his return journey so that US military personnel stationed at a UK airbase could have the opportunity to tour the new aircraft (the one gifted by Qatar).
However, several US media outlets, including The New York Times, reported that the change in aircraft was prompted by a threat originating from armed groups allied with Iran in the Middle East.
Journalists aboard the older aircraft departing from Ankara were instructed to keep their window shades drawn—a protocol usually followed only in areas near combat zones. This further reinforces security-related concerns.
The incident involving the aircraft switch has sparked renewed discussion about the plane gifted by Qatar. The New York Times reported that it lacks the same security features found on the previous Air Force One, such as missile defense systems.
Trump had expressed dissatisfaction with the condition of the two aging Boeing 747s that had served as “Air Force One”—the aircraft transporting the U.S. President—since 1990. Subsequently, he began using a luxurious aircraft gifted by the Qatari royal family—rapidly retrofitted—as Air Force One.
On July 1, the aircraft flew Trump to North Dakota for the first time. Just a few days later, he used it for his first overseas trip to Turkey.
Responding to an AFP inquiry regarding The Washington Post report, the White House issued a statement defending the new aircraft’s security measures.
In the statement, Communications Director Steven Cheung said that the new Air Force One is a state-of-the-art aircraft equipped with high-level security systems, ensuring the safety of the President and his staff.
Cheung added, “As the President recently stated, the United States has many adversaries keeping a close watch on him. We are utilizing every available means to counter these threats.”
The White House issued a similar statement last month when questions regarding the new Air Force One’s security were first raised.
A video accompanying The Washington Post report shows a catering truck moving away from beneath the old Air Force One just minutes after Trump boarded it. The truck is then seen heading toward a smaller C-32A aircraft parked nearby.
After both aircraft landed in the UK, Trump was seen descending the stairs of the larger plane. He then walked towards the newly refurbished and security-upgraded Air Force One.
However, the Washington Post reported that it remains unclear how Trump returned to the larger aircraft.
