Trump confirmed he swapped planes leaving the NATO summit in Turkey last month after Secret Service and military officials detected what CBS News described as a credible Iranian threat to fire a missile at Air Force One. He was reportedly moved via catering truck to a smaller C-32A aircraft while journalists and staff remained on the original jet, unaware the president was no longer aboard.
The elaborate ruse included instructing reporters to lower window shades, using a false call sign for the decoy plane, and having Defense Secretary Hegseth board separately to preserve appearances. The Washington Post and New York Times report Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Bessent remained on the original aircraft during the switch.
Committee to Protect Journalists regional director Jose Zamora said the administration has a responsibility to inform journalists of credible threats so they can make informed safety decisions. Trump maintains the plane he actually boarded carried greater risk, though he has offered no further detail on the threat itself.
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