In July, during his return from the NATO summit, former US President Donald Trump was secretly transferred from Air Force One to a smaller military aircraft following credible intelligence about a threat linked to Iran, The Washington Post revealed.
To maintain the appearance that Trump remained on Air Force One, military officials used a catering truck—commonly employed to stock the plane—to discreetly move him. This operation ensured no visible gaps in his movements that could be exploited by potential attackers.
After the threat was assessed, Trump rejoined Air Force One and was publicly seen disembarking upon arrival in the United Kingdom. From there, he boarded a Qatari-donated plane to complete his journey back to the United States.
Context of the Threat
The secret transfer occurred shortly after Washington announced the resumption of strikes on Iran, effectively ending any preliminary agreements between the two nations. Trump later acknowledged that Iran considered him their "number one target." Prior to the trip, he had expressed his intention to fly on an older Air Force One model to showcase the newer plane to troops in the UK, a move that inadvertently helped conceal the security operation.
Official Responses
- White House: Communications Director Steven Cheung confirmed the president faces multiple threats and that all available tools are used to mitigate risks.
- US Air Force: Officials emphasized that the transfer did not compromise security, safety, or mission communications, although some less commonly used mission capabilities were temporarily adjusted.
