Trump Confirms Secret Plane Swap During NATO Summit, Says Decoy Plane May Have Been At Greater Risk

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he was secretly moved to another aircraft during last month's NATO summit in Türkiye amid a potential assassination threat from Iran, saying he followed instructions from the Secret Service and military officials.

Trump said the aircraft switch took place on July 8, when security officials advised him to leave the presidential plane and board a different aircraft.

“They wanted me to go in a different flight, different plane,” Trump told reporters, adding, “I just have to do what they say.”

Trump, however, suggested that the aircraft he eventually boarded may have faced an even greater threat.

“I think actually the plane that I flew on was at greater risk,” he said. “I think it was at greater risk because that would be the plane I think that they would be more likely to go for.”

Trump Secretly Moved From Presidential Aircraft

According to US media reports, the operation took place in Ankara, where Trump was reportedly transferred between aircraft using a catering truck before boarding a military plane.

The White House did not publicly disclose the security operation at the time.

The details emerged only after The Washington Post reported on the secret aircraft switch this week.

Journalists And Aides Remained On Air Force One

While Trump was moved to another aircraft, journalists and senior aides remained aboard Air Force One and were reportedly unaware that the President had left.

The unusual security measure came amid heightened concerns over potential Iranian threats against Trump.

The President has previously faced security concerns linked to Iran, particularly following heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Trump's latest remarks confirm that the aircraft switch was a deliberate security measure rather than a routine change in travel arrangements.