U.S. President Donald Trump undertook a covert military journey from Turkey last month due to an Iranian threat, involving a maneuver where he switched planes using a catering truck. The White House initially reported that Trump was flying on Air Force One from Turkey to Britain after attending a NATO summit. However, shortly after boarding Air Force One, Trump secretly exited via the catering truck and boarded a different aircraft for the flight to Britain, as per sources cited by the Washington Post.

Confirming the incident, Trump stated that the Secret Service and military deemed it necessary for him to travel on another plane due to a security threat that he claimed did not intimidate him. He minimized the risk to those left on the initial plane, including White House officials, security personnel, and journalists.

During a press briefing following his return from an event in Ohio, Trump explained that he was instructed to switch planes due to a threat he did not inquire much about, mentioning that he receives numerous threats regularly.

The incident raised security concerns as Trump had initially used a newly renovated jet donated by Qatar for the NATO summit in Ankara but opted for an older Air Force One while departing Turkey, sparking inquiries about the security of the newer aircraft. The timing of the plane switch coincided with escalating tensions with Iran.

Before departing Ankara, Trump announced on his social media platform that he would use an older Air Force One to RAF Mildenhall in Britain for nostalgia, while the new plane made a stop at the same base for U.S. service members to tour it.

Journalists traveling with Trump were misled to believe they were on the older Air Force One, which was actually being used as a decoy, and were advised to keep their window shades closed during the flight. Some White House staff also believed the president was on board the decoy aircraft.

Responding to questions about the closed window shades, Trump suggested it was a precaution for a potentially risky flight and emphasized the shared risk with the journalists, stating, “But if I go, you go. Right?”