US President Donald Trump secretly switched aircraft after leaving a NATO summit in Turkey last month, in a reported security operation linked to a possible Iranian threat.
Trump had publicly boarded the older Air Force One at Ankara airport on 8 July, with television cameras recording his departure.
But according to reporting by The Washington Post, Trump was then secretly transferred to a smaller US military aircraft, a C-32A, while journalists and some White House staff continued to believe he was travelling aboard Air Force One.
The reported operation involved a catering truck positioned at aircraft-door level, which helped conceal Trump's transfer from the presidential aircraft to the nearby military plane.
Trump has since confirmed that the aircraft switch took place, saying the Secret Service and military advised him to make the change because of a potential threat.
Why Did Trump Switch Planes?
The reported aircraft swap came amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran.
US officials told CBS News that American intelligence had detected what they considered a credible Iranian threat involving Trump's aircraft.
The exact intelligence behind the threat has not been publicly disclosed.
Trump had also said during the NATO summit that he was a major target for Iran and that threats against him were ongoing.
Importantly, there is no publicly established evidence that Iran actually attempted to attack Trump's aircraft. The reported threat and its precise nature remain based on intelligence assessments described by US officials and Trump's own comments.
How Did the Secret Plane Swap Happen?
Trump first boarded the older presidential aircraft in front of cameras, creating the appearance that he would leave Turkey aboard that plane.
According to The Washington Post, he was then moved to the C-32A through an operation involving a catering truck.
The C-32A is a modified Boeing 757 used by the US government to transport senior officials.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly boarded the C-32A separately using external stairs, helping maintain the appearance of a routine departure.
Meanwhile, journalists boarded the aircraft Trump had publicly entered.
They were reportedly instructed to keep the window shades closed during the flight.
Journalists Did Not Know Trump Was On Another Plane
The White House press pool reportedly did not know that Trump had already transferred to the C-32A.
A pool producer later described the instruction to keep the aircraft's window shades down as an unusual moment during the flight.
According to the reporting, when a photographer briefly opened a window shade, they were quickly told to close it, with the request attributed to the Secret Service.
The aircraft carrying the journalists continued the journey while Trump travelled separately.
The C-32A reportedly used the call sign Reach 18, while the aircraft carrying the press continued using AF1 as part of the deception.
Technically, Air Force One is the call sign assigned to an aircraft carrying the US president. In this case, the aircraft carrying the journalists reportedly continued using the AF1 call sign even though Trump was no longer aboard.
What Happened After the Plane Swap?
Trump travelled separately to the UK.
He was later seen emerging from the older Air Force One after it landed at RAF Mildenhall.
It remains unclear exactly how Trump transferred back to that aircraft.
He subsequently boarded the newer Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar for the journey from the UK to the United States.
The aircraft is being prepared for future use as a presidential aircraft.
Trump Later Confirmed the Secret Switch
The reported operation initially emerged through media reporting.
Trump has now confirmed that he did switch aircraft.
According to Reuters, Trump said the Secret Service and military advised him to make the change because of the threat. He also suggested that the aircraft he ultimately used may itself have faced greater risks.
Trump later spoke to reporters about the security concerns surrounding his travel and his status as a potential target for Iran.
He did not publicly disclose the intelligence behind the reported threat.
Why Was the Qatar-Donated Plane Part of the Story?
The aircraft switch also comes amid continuing scrutiny of the Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar and being prepared for presidential use.
The US has been retrofitting the aircraft with additional systems and equipment required for presidential travel.
Earlier reporting had raised questions about the security capabilities of the aircraft compared with the older Air Force One planes.
However, the reported secret flight from Turkey should not be interpreted as evidence that the Qatar-donated aircraft was unsafe.
The White House has said the aircraft is safe for presidential travel and that additional upgrades are planned.
A Rare Presidential Security Operation
The reported operation was unusual because it appears to have involved a deliberate effort to make journalists believe Trump was still aboard Air Force One after he had secretly transferred to another aircraft.
The reported use of a catering truck added another layer of concealment.
But while details of the operation have emerged through reporting and Trump's subsequent confirmation, the precise nature of the Iranian threat remains unclear.
There is also no public evidence establishing that Iran actually attempted to attack Trump's aircraft.
What is established is that Trump secretly switched aircraft in Turkey on 8 July and has since confirmed that the move was made after advice from his security team.
The incident highlights the extraordinary security measures used when a US president is believed to face a potential threat, while also raising questions about how much information journalists travelling with the president should receive when their own safety could potentially be affected.
TL;DR | News At a Glance
Donald Trump secretly switched aircraft after leaving the NATO summit in Turkey on 8 July 2026.
He had publicly boarded the older Air Force One before reportedly transferring to a smaller C-32A military aircraft.
A catering truck was reportedly used to conceal the transfer.
Journalists travelling on the other aircraft were reportedly unaware that Trump was no longer on board.
US officials cited by CBS News said a credible Iranian threat had been detected.
Trump has since confirmed that he switched planes, saying the decision was made on the advice of the Secret Service and military.
