On August 11, 2026, CBS News reported that prior to Air Force One’s departure from Turkey after the NATO summit, President Trump discreetly changed planes. A U.S. official with direct knowledge confirmed that the switch was executed with the assistance of an airport catering truck, bypassing potential threats from Iran and its allies.
U.S. intelligence uncovered a credible plot to target the plane with a missile as it left Ankara. Recognizing the U.S.-Iran conflict’s risks, President Trump considered himself Iran’s “number one target.” The Washington Post initially revealed the covert plane-switching move.
Frustration grew among Trump administration officials over the exposure of classified tactics, which could hamper future protective measures for U.S. presidents. Prior to the switch on July 8, President Trump announced he would leave Ankara using the older Air Force One instead of a newer Qatari-donated jet from the summit. He claimed this choice was “for old time’s sake,” while U.S. forces in the U.K. would use the opportunity to examine the newer plane. However, security concerns prompted the switch to the older aircraft.
Video evidence recorded the president boarding the older Air Force One, with a catering truck nearby. The truck then moved to another U.S. aircraft, identified by the Washington Post as an Air Force C-32A. President Trump traveled to the U.K. refueling stop on this separate plane, while the press and staff believed they remained with the president on Air Force One.
At Ankara, the press was told to close window shades in Air Force One’s cabin. When questioned about this, President Trump cited potential dangers due to “sleazebags.” In the U.K., he switched to the updated Air Force One, retrofitted and donated by Qatar, and continued his journey to Washington, D.C., speaking with the press en route.
The administration did not publicly acknowledge that the press flew on a decoy plane during this operation. Last month, questions about the new Air Force One’s security features led to further enhancements. White House communications director Steven Cheung did not directly address the secret switch, emphasizing the new Air Force One’s advanced security. The Air Force assured the new plane’s safety, equipped with the latest technologies for the presidential mission.